FINAL CALL ON ASHLEY

Troubled youth detention centre to be shut down

THE Ashley Youth Detention Centre will close and be replaced with two new centres.

Ashley has been the focus of decades of complaints of human rights abuses — including the rape of young people.

It is also expected to be a major focus of the commission of inquiry into child abuse in government institutions.

THE scandal-plagued Ashley Youth Detention Centre will be shut down, Premier Peter Gutwein says.

The announcement was greeted with relief from opposition parties and activists who have campaigned for years for the centre’s closure.

Ashley has been the focus of decades of complaints of human rights abuses — including the rape of young people — and is the subject of multiple pending lawsuits.

It is also expected to be a major focus of the Commission of Inquiry into child abuse in government institutions.

Mr Gutwein said despite $10m in upgrades to the facility in recent years, there was a need for “major systemic change”.

“I’ve long held the concern that the allegation of historical abuse and the ongoing speculation around Ashley is not conducive to achieving the best practice outcomes that we have strived for,” he said.

“The events of this week have firmed in my mind that despite the best intentions of management and staff, the centre will continue to be stigmatised and constrained in terms of the outcomes we can achieve for young people.”

Mr Gutwein said the centre would be replaced with two new purpose-built facilities in the North and the South of the state based on a therapeutic model.

“Why now? Well, I’ve made a decision, enough is enough. We’re going to change to a new model and we’re going to do so within the next three years.”

Mr Gutwein spent 2½ hours in talks with former Ashley worker Alysha on Wednesday. She tweeted her delight at the announcement.

“Mr Gutwein, you showed me your commitment to listen was true,” she said.

“This took courage and integrity that previous premiers have not had. I saw your face yesterday, I know this decision was made out of genuine care and I am so grateful.”

Labor leader Rebecca White paid tribute to Alysha’s courage.

“I’d like to acknowledge Alysha who blew the whistle so loudly on this, that the government could no longer ignore it,” she said.

“The Commission of Inquiry has also no doubt contributed to the decision by the government today.

“But the thing that’s also just as important as the decision to close Ashley is, is what it is replaced with and it is fundamentally important that it be a therapeutic facility that supports young people to be rehabilitated because we have to remember, children as young as 10 are incarcerated at the detention centre and we can’t give up on them.”

Independent MP for Clark Kristie Johnston says she has been surprised that the government couldn’t guarantee the safety of children when asked during Budget Estimates hearings this week.

“We know from countless reports that it is not a safe place for young people,” she said.

“The fact the Premier has now intervened quite quickly this week ... is very welcome news indeed.”

Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor fought tears as she said how glad she was the government had acted to end the brutalisation of young people.

“The Greens have been calling for closure of Ashley for more than five years now and put forward a policy which mirrors the policy that the Premier announced today,” she said.

“We’re so happy. I have to say on a personal level, I wasn’t sure that this would ever come to be.”

Greg Barns, SC, from the Prisoners’ Legal Service, said governments had been asked for years to close Ashley.

“We told the Labor government and the Hodgman Liberal government it must happen because it was simply an undergraduate school for Risdon Prison,” he said.

“We congratulate Premier Peter Gutwein for taking the action he has to end the abuse of vulnerable children and youth at Ashley.”

Australian Lawyers Alliance state president Rowena Macdonald said it came not a moment too soon.

“The horrific abuse experienced by children who have been detained at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre over many years is appalling,” she said.