The state government has more than doubled the amount of beds at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre.
Following last year’s announcement of the centre’s reopening with 30 beds, an additional 45 new beds have been promised by the state government, bringing the total to 75 beds.
The state government said youth remand rates have risen to about 40 per cent since the bail reforms came into effect, and with the state government’s Adult Time for Violent Crime bill coming into effect by the end of February, youth custody numbers are set to rise.
“Our tough new bail laws are working – remand numbers are up. We’re putting the infrastructure in place to keep the community safe,” Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan said. ”
The additional beds will give youth justice the flexibility needed to manage different cohorts and deliver new programs to meet the individual needs of young people in custody, according to the state government.
Upgrades to infrastructure and security are currently underway at Malmsbury, and more than 100 new youth justice workers are being recruited to staff the expanded facility.
The state government said the new beds will come online in stages this year.
As reported in the Star Weekly, the youth prison closed its doors in 2023, following years of issues including inmate riots, staff shortages and escapes.
The state government said the youth justice centre will deliver a more intensive program of education, vocational training and job opportunities for the lower-risk cohort.
The reopening is expected to cost $140 million over five years.
