A report into escapes from the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in November and January has praised two staff members for the “outstanding courage and commitment” they displayed in their attempt to control the situation.
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The report’s authors, Neil Comrie AO APM and Brian Hine, recommended the officers be commended for their “outstanding conduct” during the January incident in which four young offenders assaulted a staff member and stole his keys.
But they also found current youth justice security and emergency response team capacity and capability were “insufficient to respond adequately to large scale incidents in custodial settings.”
The youths used the keys to release other detainees, leading to the escape of a total of 13 young offenders from the facility, who then stole a Ford Ranger and led police on a chase throughout central Victoria on January 25.
“Two admissions unit staff members placed themselves between these two groups of young offenders in an attempt to prevent escapes,” the report’s authors wrote.
“These two officers, at great physical risk to themselves, grappled with this large group of about 20 aggressive young offenders for several minutes.
“Despite their very best efforts, three admission unit offenders, assisted by offenders outside the unit, were able to push their way out of the window.”
The review found no evidence of any serious breach of policy or procedures by any staff at the youth justice centre during the incident, but identified a number of contributing factors, including:
- security issues regarding access to keys by young offenders, infrastructure failures, the availability of items that can readily be used as makeshift weapons and the unrestricted access of vehicles to the facility
- a lack of capability and capacity of the SERT to effectively intervene in escapes and the related lack of an effective intelligence system within the centre and the broader youth justice system
- co-location of a significant number of high risk violent young offenders and offenders with different security risk profiles in accommodation that is unsuited for that purpose
- a lack of flexibility within the youth justice system with regard to accommodation options for young offenders with special needs
- legislation that results in some offenders being inappropriately accommodated in the youth justice system
- issues with regard to the number of staff rostered on duty, staff training and equipment and the related practice of rotational lock-downs that resulted in a heightened sense of agitation amongst young offenders
- the isolated location of the MYJP, especially from a police emergency response perspective.
The report’s authors recommended the Department of Health and Human Services review the multi-client use of the centre with a view to achieving complete separation of the youth and adult populations and investigate options to ensure that only authorised vehicles are allowed entry to the site.
They also recommended security arrangements at the centre be reviewed to ensure young offenders could not readily access keys and that staffing levels be sufficient to reduce the need for lock-downs.
Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos said the state government would accept all recommendations from the review in full and had already begun work to improve safety and security at the MYJC.
Ms Mikakos also commended the “bravery and commitment” of the staff involved in responding to the incidents on January 25.
“Our plan is clear – we are rebuilding the system to keep staff safe, to keep the community safe and to keep young offenders safe,” she said.
Jason Walls
Bendigo born and bred, interested in business malpractice, crime, social justice and corruption in all its forms. Got a tip? 5434 4476
Bendigo born and bred, interested in business malpractice, crime, social justice and corruption in all its forms. Got a tip? 5434 4476
