UPDATE: The troubled Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre is set to reopen its doors just two years after closure due to severe safety issues, including riots and staff assaults. Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan confirmed on October 28, 2023, that the facility will resume operations to accommodate young individuals under the state’s new bail laws.
The reopening will initially provide 30 beds for lower-risk youth aged 17 and older, with an estimated cost of $140 million over the next four years. This decision comes as part of a new strategy aimed at enhancing educational and vocational training opportunities for young offenders while also allowing for tailored programs at facilities like Cherry Creek and Parkville.
“Our tough new bail laws are working – remand numbers are up – so we need more prison beds for young people,” Erdogan stated. He emphasized the need to address the increasing rate of violent crimes committed by minors while also offering a pathway for rehabilitation.
Immediate works are set to begin to upgrade infrastructure and security at Malmsbury. The additional beds will be phased in starting early next year, with 114 staff members to be recruited for the center. This marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to youth justice, aiming to remove serious offenders from the streets while supporting lower-risk youths.
The Malmsbury facility has been operational since 1965 but has faced numerous challenges, including violent incidents and escapes. Just months before its closure, multiple assaults occurred, resulting in injuries to both staff and inmates. In one alarming incident in 2017, 20 prisoners escaped after overpowering a guard and stealing keys, raising serious concerns about security protocols.
Opposition police spokesman David Southwick criticized the government’s decision to reopen the center, asserting that it had been unfairly deemed outdated and unfit for purpose. “They said when they closed it that it was outdated, it wasn’t fit for purpose. Now all of a sudden, it’s needed,” he remarked during an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne.
With the reopening of the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, the state government aims to strike a balance between public safety and rehabilitation. The upcoming upgrades and staffing changes are designed to ensure a safer environment for both staff and inmates, while also addressing the urgent need for additional youth detention facilities.
As developments unfold, the state government is poised to implement a new era in youth justice, emphasizing both accountability and opportunities for reform. Stay tuned for more updates on this critical situation.
