LOCK THEM AWAY

BOLD INGHAM JAIL PLAN

HINCHIN BROOK Mayor Ramon Jayo is backing a plan to build a new youth prison in Ingham.

Cr Jayo said a bold new idea to address the youth crime crisis in the region was needed.

“We believe Ingham could provide a really useful venue for a correctional facility,” he said. “It would create an isolat- ed environment for juvenile delinquents to be rehabilitated.

“We definitely would like for that idea to be floated with the Government and to be at the table for those discussions.”

Townsville businessman Greg Pellegrini said community leaders had created a proposal for a grassroots approach to rehabilitating troubled kids.

“What we are proposing is a country- style correctional facility to be built in Ingham – 300 acres of land with 100 acres of farming to be attached to it,” he said.

“We think it would provide a good healthy lifestyle, and a ‘ work hard and reap the benefits’ mentality for young offenders engaging in outdoor activities such as farming, sport, and interaction with animals to try and re- establish a sense of self- respect, love and wellbeing.

“We believe such a facility could be built for under $ 5 million, not $ 180 million wasted on a concrete jungle which will only see recidivists being incarcerated.”

Mr Pellegrini said the proposed self- contained facility could operate as donga- style housing and require criminals to farm their own produce.

“These types of places can be set up very cost- effectively and have the protection and medical facilities provided without the tens of millions of dollar bills,” he said.

“They need to be incarcerated but they do also need to be cared for and re- educated, disciplined and made to work to understand how a proper community functions for their reintroduction after their extensive time in incarceration.”

Cr Jayo said the facility would not only take the strain off current correctional facilities such as Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, but would also create employment. “It’s got to be done,” he said. The idea surfaced after three Ingham residents were seriously injured in a crash on the Bruce Highway involving youths in stolen cars.

“There is just no fear or respect for the law anymore,” Cr Jayo said. “Look at how many people have been hurt and injured and how many lives have been disrupted by youth crime.”