Sarah Courtney,Minister for Children and Youth
The Tasmanian Government is supporting the Commissioner for Children and Young People to enhance safety and support for young people at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
The recruitment for an Advocate for Young People in Detention position has commenced to assist the Commissioner for Children and Young people provide additional advocacy services for young people detained under the Youth Justice Act 1997.
Funded by the Government for the next three years, this position will help ensure young people at Ashley have a voice in decisions that affect them and services provided to them.
The Advocate will have an office at the Ashley site, and will visit regularly in addition to regular engagement with the Commissioner for Children and Young People Leanne McLean.
In recent years significant improvements have been made to both the physical infrastructure and the models of care at Ashley, resulting in an improved experience for young people sent to custody by the courts.
Despite the progress we have made, it is time for a new approach, and not just for Custodial Youth Justice but across the whole Youth Justice System.
That’s why the Tasmanian Government announced significant new directions for the Youth Justice in Tasmania in September, including the transition away from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre to two smaller facilities in the north and south.
The Government is finalising our plan for Youth Justice reform and a discussion paper for public comment will be released shortly, launching us into the period of transition over the next three years and beyond
The centre currently benefits from a range of safe guards including external oversight from both the Custodial Inspector and the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
With the support of the Government through this new position, the Commissioner for Children and Young People has agreed to enhance her engagement on site at Ashley during this period of transition.
The Tasmanian Government is moving forward with our plan for a new approach to Youth Justice while ensuring young people at Ashley are well supported and have independent advocacy available to ensure their voices are heard.
