Juveniles in Custody
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Small Business, representing the Minister for Juvenile Justice. Is the Minister aware that an alarming number of children, approximately 5,000, in New South Wales are being held on remand in the State’s juvenile justice centres? Is the Minister aware that the consequences of a high remand rate include unnecessary detention, and increases the challenges that children and young people face, which can potentially create further social problems, and that the high incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is damaging indigenous communities? In particular, is the Minister aware that many young people remanded into custody are either homeless or in need of care when charged with a criminal offence? Will the New South Wales Government fund a comprehensive program of residential bail support services across the State to prevent children and young people who are granted bail from being remanded into custody?
ANSWER:
On 11 May 2010 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Small Business, representing the Minister for Juvenile Justice, a question without notice regarding children in custody. The Minister for Juvenile Justice provided the following response:
The total number of admissions to Juvenile Justice Centres on remand during the 2008/09 financial year was 4634.
Young people’s remand status is determined primarily by NSW Police and the Courts.
It is unfortunate that some young people who enter custody are either homeless or in need of care. Juvenile Justice has implemented a range of initiatives to assist these young people.
The After Hours Bail Assistance Line commenced in Dubbo on June 7, 2010, and will shortly commence operations in two other locations, Metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle/Hunter. The program aims to divert young offenders from unnecessary incarceration.
Juvenile Justice also provides bail supervision and support for young people having difficulty meeting bail conditions, such as a lack of accommodation. If a young person is identified at court as being homeless, staff work in conjunction with relevant agencies (both government and non-government) to assist the young person to locate suitable accommodation.
The Government is establishing more services associated with the Bail Assistance Line, and emergency and longer-term accommodation options that will assist in diverting young people from unnecessary incarceration.
Juvenile Justice staff are also able to access brokerage funds to purchase accommodation for young offenders who lack appropriate community support.