2021-11-11
Minister responsible for Youth Justice Emma Davidson today tabled the ACT Government’s Response to the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services Healthy Centre Review of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, agreeing or agreeing in principle with 26 of the 27 recommendations.
The review is part of the ACT Government’s ongoing process to improve how we protect and support the interests of children and young people. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the positive progress being made to meet the needs of young people in the youth justice centre, as well as examining opportunities for improvement.
Minister Davidson said the review is critical to better support the needs of both young people in contact with the justice system and also the workers within the centre.
“Young people should feel safe, valued, respected and hopeful of their future. Reviews like this are essential to ensure the right support is offered to them so they feel empowered to make healthier choices and behaviours,” Minister Davidson said.
“This work means not only can we adapt the ways things operate to better respond to the needs of young people, but also better support them as they grow, develop and engage in social and economic parts of our community.
“It plays an important role in the ACT Government’s commitment to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility and highlights how we can work better with young people, their families and non-government partners.”
Four of the recommendations have been completed including:
- Implementation of a new child and youth record information system in November 2020 to clearly articulate the health, safety and security risks and vulnerabilities relating to young people;
- Ensuring young people and community know they can request to utilise the spiritual centre and fire pit for its intended purpose;
- Building modifications made in late 2020 to provide Justice Health Services with a private office space;
- Changes to policies and processes to remove phone calls from the incentives scheme with all young people now allocated 20 phone calls per week.
Work is already underway on several of the other recommendations. Updates on progress against agreed recommendations will be provided every six months to the Inspector.
The Healthy Centre Review is a legislated, bi-annual review which examines Bimberi’s operations and support for ongoing quality improvement. It reviews how the needs of young people in the ACT’s youth justice centre are being met, as well as examining opportunities for improvement.
The Review found that overall, Bimberi performed well over the four areas in which it was assessed – safety, respect and dignity, purposeful activity, and rehabilitation and preparation for release. The Inspector noted in his report that:
- Most of the young people they interviewed felt physically and emotionally safe in Bimberi;
- They are provided with an individualised approach to their care;
- Young people are engaged in programs of education, learning and skill development to meet their individual needs;
- The health services provided to young people are appropriate; and
- Young people are encouraged to maintain or re-establish positive relationships with family, friends and community agencies while in the centre.