NEW JAIL FOR YOUNG CRIMS
LNP commits to detention centres
YOUNG criminals could be locked up in a second Townsville youth detention centre under a plan by the LNP.
The Opposition will today announce a $ 40 million commitment to build two new dedicated “reintegration centres” – one in North Queensland and the other in the southeast.
The LNP has not yet chosen exact locations for the detention centres, however it is understood both Townsville and Cairns are being considered for North Queensland’s.
If elected, the LNP would also scrap Labor’s controversial plan to use suburban youth bail houses across the state, including in Townsville.
LNP leader Tim Nicholls said the plan would put community safety first but with a focus on reducing crime and rehabilitating young offenders.
“The LNP’s plan will include two new facilities that will provide an additional 90 beds and hold 17 to 25- yearolds in medium security facili- ties,” he said. “The focus of our reintegration centres will be around vocational training and providing young prisoners with the support they need to reintegrate back into the community on release.”
The 90 beds would spread across both facilities.
Mr Nicholls said the plan would “go a long way to breaking the revolving door of crime” under Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Labor came under fire for its suburban bail houses policy in September after concerns that it would jeopardise the safety of surrounding neighbours.
The LNP will also spend an additional $ 8 million as part of its plan to reduce reoffending rates for young criminals and adult offenders who are released from jail.
The pledge, also to be an- be nounced today, will include distributing the funding boost as grants to non- government organisations under two key themes – enforcing the importance of bail and prisoner reentry and reintegration.
Opposition spokesman for corrective services Tim Mander said protecting the community was essential and in sharp contrast with the Labor Government that had decided to house violent young offenders in suburban bail houses.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s policy is a disgrace,” he said.
“Queensland families should feel safe in their suburbs and not be forced to live next to these suburban detention centres.
“We know crime is an issue, we have listened to the community and we won’t back suburban detention centres. We will put community safety first, unlike Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“The contrast between the soft- on- crime Palaszczuk Labor Government and the LNP could not be starker.
“The LNP will keep dangerous young offenders charged with a crime in a secure facility — not living in the house next door to your family.”