The Territory Labor Government is cutting crime by overhauling the youth justice system to prevent reoffending and to get young people back on track.
The design for the redevelopment of the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre is now complete and the construction tender has been released.
The $13.7 million project is set to support 65 local jobs. Construction work is expected to start in May this year with the redevelopment of the centre completed in April 2021.
Redevelopment of the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre includes:
- A new reception, security and screening area for all visitors and staff. High quality scanning technology will minimise the need for physical searches of young people, visitors, service providers and staff, and ensures better security.
- Height of external perimeter fencing will be increased to 5.4 metres. The fencing will be constructed of anti-climb mesh to ensure the security of the facility. A cowl (fixed barrel) topper will be installed on the majority of the external fencing to provide a strong security reinforcement and deterrent.
- New learning hub and large Vocational Education and Training (VET) area that will enable the delivery of courses and hands-on learning. A fully-equipped training kitchen will support young people to advance their learning in life skills while equipping them with VET qualifications. Young people will be given a greater range of training opportunities – because we know that we need to get kids back on track and away from a life of crime.
- New visitor facility, to encourage family access and allow for group activities that focus on building connection to country and culture.
- New IT-rich visitor and service provider spaces with video conferencing technology. This means young people in the centre will no longer require transportation to the watch house by Police when they are required to attend court. The spaces can also be used to host case conferences with family members, the young person, police, case workers and lawyers.
- New medical and health centre, which will ensure qualified medical service providers can deliver the treatment required for complex young people in detention.
- Redevelopment of accommodation. The reconfiguration of the accommodation blocks will reduce the reliance on shared bedrooms. This will improve the safety, security and wellbeing of detainees and staff.
As noted by Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield
“Every person in Alice Springs has the right to feel safe and expect their homes, businesses and property to be secure. Every single day this Government is listening to the concerns of people in Alice Springs and we are taking action.
“The Territory Labor Government has invested more resources than ever to tackling youth crime, including: re-installing the youth night patrol (that the CLP cut), creating the Youth Engagement Night Officers, increasing the hours of youth drop-in centres, and put more cops on the beat than ever before.
“The construction of the redeveloped Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre will create opportunities for young people to turn their lives around and stop reoffending.
“This is unlike the CLP who cut funding for youth services, created a dysfunctional system that led to a Royal Commission, and had no plans to address youth crime and prevent reoffending.”
