Not Enough Inmates: NSW Puts the Lid on Youth Detention Centers

Recently, the Department of Juvenile Justice of New South Wales, Australia decided to close a detention center for young offenders. The reason for this move is rather surprising. There are reportedly not enough inmates to populate the facility at Emu Plains, NSW.

Records show that there has been a dramatic drop in the number of youth detainees and the facility intended for them will be transformed into a center for adults instead.

Less juvenile delinquents in New South Wales

Since 2009 there has been a 50% decrease in the number of young inmates. This is not necessarily due to a decrease in crime rate attributed to the actions of lawbreakers from the younger demographic. Some of the factors which had greatly contributed to the situation are changes in court and police practices. Less and less young people are being placed behind bars.

Before 2009, each day sees 450 juveniles going into detention. The number has dwindled to a little over 300.

Detention is not for all

Greg Smith, the Attorney-General does not believe that detention is the necessary intervention for all youth offenders. There was a time when the mindset was to lock everyone up including adolescents and teenagers. He has worked passionately to keep juvenile delinquents out of jail and this point of view has influenced the Australian courts. But for those who pose a real danger to society these people need to be put behind lock and key.

The spokesman for the Department of Juvenile Justice Kevin Harris said that the funds will be diverted to youth community programs instead of detention facilities. The annual estimated cost of keeping a young offender in custody is reportedly $200,000. Other expenses go to staff salaries since the staff-inmate ratio is 3:1. The other expenses include medical costs, education and counseling services.