Overcrowding in NSW’s Juvenile Justice Centres is a direct result of the Iemma Government’s failure to properly resource these facilities, Shadow Minister for Juvenile Justice Anthony Roberts said today.

“This year’s budget only provided for a paltry total of 42 additional beds for Acmena Juvenile Correction Facility and Riverina Juvenile Correction Facility,” Mr Roberts said.

“The Iemma Government’s Budget also simply re-announced funding for 15 additional beds at the Orana Juvenile Correction Centre,” he said.

The $1.5 million announced this year, provided for the expansion of Kariong Juvenile Correction Centre through the Department of Justice as part of an ongoing redevelopment, which commenced in 2004. But this project is now 3 years overdue, and $306,000 over budget and it does not provide for any additional beds.

“The number of new beds does not reflect the increase in young offenders entering these facilities,” Mr Roberts said.

“It does not provide for the fact that the figures show that detention rates are increasing by huge amounts each year,” he said.

“I support comments by Deputy Senior Public Defender, Andrew Haesler SC, that the Iemma Government ‘cannot now escape its failure to provide adequate resources by making venerable young people bear the burden of its failure’.

Mr Roberts questioned the ability of the Iemma Government’s commitment to the delivery of a wide range of rehabilitation programs when there are such high levels of overcrowding.

Key indicators show that the number of young offenders in custody is increasing. 

They are as follows:

“The figures say it all, from 2005/06 until now the average daily number in custody has increased by almost 30% and is forecast to rise,” Mr Roberts said.

“Likewise, the total number of admissions has increased by over 60% in the past 3 years.

“With the average length of time in custody and remand also increasing, this is putting an enormous strain on our Juvenile Justice Centres.

“The people of NSW expect that juvenile offenders receive appropriate punishment but also the opportunity for rehabilitation. However, it is apparent that this Labor Government lacks either the motivation or understanding on how to address these needs.

“With the budget forecasting increases in all but one key indicator (and judging by past records, these budgeted figures are likely to rise), an additional 42 beds is simply not enough to safely house all of the States juvenile offenders,” Mr Roberts concluded.