Project overview
The Tasmanian Government is reforming the youth justice system through a comprehensive, integrated and therapeutic approach that prioritises the rights of children, rehabilitation and breaking the cycle of offending.
To expedite this reform, in 2024, the Tasmanian Government handed the responsibility for aspects of the Youth Justice Blueprint 2024-2034 (PDF1MB) (Youth Justice Blueprint) to the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC). This includes the delivery of a new youth justice facility to replace Ashley Youth Detention Centre and associated supported accommodation and supported bail options.
DPAC has established a Youth Justice Reform Taskforce (YJR Taskforce) which is a multi-agency group dedicated to advancing key elements of the Youth Justice Blueprint that require cross-agency collaboration.
This webpage has been updated to redirect visitors to DPAC’s dedicated project website. To learn more about youth justice reform in Tasmania, please visit https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/youth-justice/.
Background
The Tasmanian Government announced in September 2021 that the Ashley Youth Detention Centre would close and be replaced by a new fit-for-purpose youth justice facility.
Extensive public consultation was undertaken by DECYP from 23 March to 4 May 2023. Stakeholders and the community had the opportunity to provide their feedback on two (2) shortlisted sites for a new facility. The Community Engagement Outcomes Report (PDF, 27.1MB) provides a detailed overview of the public consultation.
Based on feedback received through the public consultation and the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings, the preferred site for the new facility was chosen to be 466 Brighton Road, Pontville.
For more information about the development of the new youth justice facility at 466 Brighton Road, Pontville, please visit https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/youth-justice/.