The recent Four Corners story on youth detention in the Northern Territory has sparked interest in and concern about the issue. This media mash-up will review relevant legislation and media articles about youth detention around Australia.
The issue of youth detention involves rule of law issues like equality before the law, checks and balances on the exercise of government power, judicial oversight, access to justice, and human rights concerns.
Australia in general
Key statistics:
Youth justice in Australia 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key materials:
An overview of juvenile detention in Australia, Lynn Atkinson
Assorted youth justice publications, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Chapter 6 – Children and young people in juvenile justice and detention centres, Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs, Protecting vulnerable children: A national challenge, 2005 report
Juvenile justice: three young Australian men share their experience of life from the inside, ABC Online
Juvenile detention is another area where Australia is falling behind, The Sydney Morning Herald
Australian Capital Territory
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Children and Young People Act 2008
Key materials:
Blueprint for Youth Justice 2012-22, ACT Government
New South Wales
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Key materials:
What life’s really like in a juvenile detention centre, News.com.au
Young lives trapped inside the system, The Sydney Morning Herald
Juvenile justice in New South Wales: New directions, Ian Graham
Northern Territory
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Key materials:
Review of the Northern Territory Youth Justice System: Report, NT Government, September 2011
Royal commission into NT youth detention to investigate possible human rights breaches, ABC Online
Queensland
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Key materials:
Queensland’s youth justice laws a ‘marshmallow’ approach, Opposition says, ABC Online
Youth detention workers claim violence cover-ups in Queensland, ABC Online
Queensland will ‘co-operate fully’ with youth detention Royal Commission if asked: A-G says, Brisbane Times
South Australia
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Key materials:
South Australia’s youth justice ‘focussed on rehabilitation’, ABC Online
New laws will enable more home detention of young offenders in South Australia, The Advertiser
Transforming Criminal Justice: Fact Sheet, SA Government
Youth Justice Strategic Policy Paper, SA Government
Tasmania
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Key materials:
Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre to offer therapeutic rehabilitation for offenders, ABC Online
Alternatives to Secure Youth Detention in Tasmania, Commissioner for Children
Change to youth detention coming after review, The Mercury
Victoria
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
Key materials:
Victoria youth detention centre serious incidents to be investigated by child safety watchdog, Herald Sun
Youth justice: Getting the early years right, article by Judge Paul Grant, former President of Victorian Children’s Court
Western Australia
Key statistics:
Youth Justice Supervision 2014-15, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Key legislation:
Key materials:
Juvenile justice: the Western Australian experience, Hal Jackson
WA’s youth justice – changed for the better?, SBS Online
Detention: WA worst state for jailing indigenous youth, Perth Now
