Improved conditions at juvenile detention centres

13/4/93

Immediate steps will be taken at Western Australia's juvenile detention centres to improve staff safety and to broaden the range of activities for detainees. 

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes said the changes had been recommended by a special projects team which had undertaken a review of the centres. 

"The team's brief was to pay particular attention to the safety of staff at the centres and the measures in place to prevent escapes by inmates," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"As a result of its investigations, immediate funds will be made available to improve training, provide additional staff and implement a number of new procedures and programs." 

Mrs Edwardes said group workers in the detention centres would receive extra training in a number of areas including security procedures, conflict management, cultural awareness and team building. 

Additional staff would also be provided to improve the delivery of programs to detainees. 

"Recreation co-ordinators will be employed at the Riverbank and Longmore training centres to implement a variety of recreation programs for detainees and establish recreation links with the community for juveniles following their release," the Attorney General said.

"Full-time Aboriginal teachers aides will also be employed at the two centres to ensure that the available programs are culturally relevant to those detainees of Aboriginal descent." 

Mrs Edwardes said a substance abuse program currently operating at the Longmore Training Centre would be extended to Riverbank. 

"The service is jointly provided by the Noongar Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program and the Holyoake/Palmerston Drug and Alcohol Program - organisations that can offer continued support to detainees following their release," she said.

Visitor facilities at the Riverbank centre would also be improved.  Air conditioning would be installed in the centre's gymnasium - the venue for visits. 

"In addition, an outdoor area at the rear of the gym will be fenced off to provide extra recreation space and another area for visits," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"However, public safety must also be considered and the fence will be topped by a strand of barrier tape to deter those thinking of abusing the privilege and trying to escape. 

"In line with this idea, an additional perimeter fence will be installed at the Longmore complex to improve security following the review by the special projects team." 

Mrs Edwardes said she was confident that the changes to be implemented would benefit staff and inmates at the centres - while certain measures would improve public safety.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9595