The ‘real test’ for Queensland’s youth justice reforms

A youth justice advocate has hit out at the state government’s claims their youth crime reforms are making a difference.
Damien Atkinson KC, the chair of the Youth Justice Centre, spoke at length to Sofie Formica on 4BC Afternoons in the wake of the release of the long-awaited youth justice review which looked at Queensland’s tough bail laws.
He said locking up young people was “horribly unambitious”.
“The government says loudly and proudly the reforms are working, but if you drill down, what they are really saying is that there are less young people being granted bail than ever before in Queensland,” he said.
“The real test I would have thought for all of us is, is there less offending, are we having success in making sure that young people are diverted to healthy, contributing productive lives as opposed to be being engaged with the criminal justice system?
“All the evidence is that detention doesn’t help with that, and yet the government seems to be throwing red meat to some parts of the community by pushing on with the idea of locking up as many young people as possible, and it’s deeply disappointing.”
He said he has been told by police that over 30 per cent of the young people in detention have at least one parent who is addicted to the drug ice.
He described it as appalling that every given night, there are 30-40 Queensland children sleeping in watch houses each night.
Press PLAY below to hear his reaction and explanation in full
Minister denies ‘playing politics’ amid release of long-awaited youth justice report