URGENT UPDATE: Barwon MP Roy Butler is advocating for a revolutionary plan to replace juvenile detention with a residential program for young offenders. This bold initiative aims to offer a mandated residential option for minors committing minor crimes, a significant shift in how youth crime is addressed in New South Wales.
Just announced, Butler has secured an in-principle agreement with National Parks to utilize existing facilities, such as properties with shearing quarters, as sites for this trial. He believes these locations could serve as ideal environments for a youth program, providing both structure and support for young people.
Butler emphasized the potential for employment opportunities, stating, “National Parks could be ideal. For example, one has shearing quarters, a camp kitchen, and manages residences, which would lend itself to a youth program.” He further noted that young individuals who successfully complete the program could have access to cadetships, effectively giving them a direct pathway to employment.
This initiative comes as Butler has been actively lobbying for innovative solutions to tackle youth crime in the Far West region. He is calling for magistrates to have the authority to refer young offenders to these compulsory residential programs, providing an alternative to incarceration for minor or lower-level offenses.
The proposed trial is expected to create a positive impact not only on the youths involved but also on the community by reducing recidivism rates and equipping young people with valuable skills. Butler’s plan has garnered attention as a much-needed response to the challenges faced by the juvenile justice system.
The urgency of this proposal is underscored by rising concerns over youth crime in the region. Stakeholders are now watching closely as this initiative develops, with hopes for a formal launch in the near future.
Stay tuned for more updates as Roy Butler continues to engage with stakeholders and move forward with this groundbreaking plan aimed at reforming the juvenile justice landscape in New South Wales.
