Bail houses breed crime
Recidivism proves plan is a failure: Opposition
ALMOST all young criminals who have been placed in the State Government’s controversial bail houses have reoffended.
It can be revealed 121 of the 145 offenders who stayed in the houses since the program inception in late 2017 until last month went on to commit more crime after leaving.
Slammed as “another complete failure” by the Opposition, the extraordinary revelation comes just a day after the Government announced a crackdown on child criminals.
Child Safety, Youth and Women Minister Di Farmer, who has committed to scrapping the program if it’s found not to work, yesterday said the houses could now accommodate homeless youth at risk of crime.
The change follows two extraordinary reports released late last year highlighting issues with the Townsville, Logan and Carbrook centres, including that young offenders were not following the house rules.
“We made a commitment to re-evaluate the program at the end of this year and if Supervised Community Accommodations are not proving to be successful after the implementation of recommended changes we will scrap the program,” Ms Farmer said.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington seized on the figures, slamming the houses as “another complete failure” while pledging to scrap them.
“The LNP will shut the revolving door of justice by giving our police tough new laws and the resources they need to protect Queenslanders and their property,” she said.
Meanwhile Police Minister Mark Ryan doubled down on his criticism of magistrates letting “hardcore” child criminals out on bail, despite the new Youth Justice Act directing that children only be remanded as a last resort.
Mr Ryan’s comments drew criticism, including from Civil Liberties Council vice-president Terry O’Gorman, who said magistrates could not be blamed if “police are too lazy to appeal bail decisions”. Mr Ryan yesterday repeated eight times that the “legislation is clear” that community safety comes first. As part of the Government’s crackdown, culturebased rehabilitation including on-country initiatives will be trialled in Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa, while a 24/7 Police Strike Team will include youth justice workers for highrisk offenders.