The Youth Justice Blueprint 2024-2034 outlines the Government’s 10 year plan to reform the youth justice system.
The reform focuses on the rights of the child, rehabilitation and breaking the cycle of offending to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families, and keep the community safe.
The Blueprint was developed in collaboration with other agencies, young people and key stakeholders to ensure it is fit for purpose and nation leading in terms of outcomes for children and young people.
It aligns with the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.
To support our Youth Justice Reform, including the closure of Ashley Youth Detention Centre, the Department for Education, Children and Young People will develop a series of action plans over ten years outlining priority actions and key milestones that will be undertaken to deliver the reforms.
Children and young people who are at risk of, or are already engaged in offending are often vulnerable and have a range of needs that require responses across multiple service systems. This requires working collaboratively across the whole of government and community to establish better connections for vulnerable children and young people, their families, and services.
The Blueprint commits to actively partnering with Aboriginal organisations and families to support Aboriginal children and young people in a culturally appropriate way to reduce their over-representation in the youth justice system.
Over time, these actions will result in a system that supports early intervention and diverts children and young people away from the statutory youth justice system.
As part of the Government’s commitment to close Ashley, we are working to deliver a new fit-for-purpose secure therapeutic facility, with the preferred site located in Pontville, as well as new assisted bail and supported accommodation.
In addition to the new facility and establishing a new model of care and diversionary services, we will review the Youth Justice Act 1997.
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at Ashley until its closure, we are responding now to the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.
We are continuing to work on a series of actions, including increasing safety and security in the Centre, recruiting additional staff, supporting existing staff and ensuring they have the skills and expertise to deliver a therapeutic service model, in addition to implementing practice improvements.