Official opening of Rangeview Remand Centre

26/3/94

The maximum security Rangeview Remand Centre has been officially opened by Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes.

Mrs Edwardes said the $12 million facility, in the southern Perth suburb of Murdoch, would replace the ageing Longmore Remand Centre.

"Rangeview will play a pivotal role in our juvenile justice system by enabling us to manage young offenders on remand in an environment aimed at developing a strong sense of responsibility and self-discipline," the Attorney General said.

"At the same time, protection of the community is paramount in the final design of the facility."

Rangeview, the only remand centre for juveniles in Western Australia, is a 48-bed facility for male and female detainees aged from 10 to 17.

Mrs Edwardes said it was important for people to understand that Rangeview was only a remand centre and not an extended detention facility.

"Individuals who are sent here have been arrested and are awaiting their court cases or sentencing," she said.

"Some 60 to 70 per cent of detainees will only be in the facility overnight or over the weekend.

"However, the community can rest assured that the centre is still a maximum security facility."

Mrs Edwardes said a sophisticated $2.3 million security system had been installed, which included a combination of physical barriers, electronic detection and surveillance, and on-site response personnel.

"Security at the facility has been upgraded after a review I instigated last year highlighted security and design flaws," she said.

"Extensive modifications were undertaken and the result is a centre which provides for protection of the community and a safe environment for its detainees and staff."

Mrs Edwardes said the 'campus-style' layout of the centre was designed to promote self-discipline and responsibility among detainees - who would be required to undertake specific cleaning and gardening duties.

The facility has a skills centre with education staff to provide educational, vocational and personal development programs for detainees.

An education program on drug and alcohol abuse would also be provided.

"The idea of promoting self-discipline and seeking to make juveniles address their offending behaviour is a philosophy not only reflected in Rangeview but other Government juvenile initiatives, including work camps and juvenile justice teams," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Like these measures, the opening of Rangeview Remand Centre is a significant development in the management of young offenders in this State."

Media contact:  Casey Cahill 222 9595