Government announces Rockhampton boot camp

Premier Campbell Newman has announced Rockhampton will have a youth boot camp by September as part of the Newman Government’s overhaul of youth justice.

In Rockhampton for the announcement, Mr Newman said the community had expressed concerns about the rate of youth crime in the region and the Government had listened.

“The camp in Rockhampton will be modelled on our Gold Coast boot camp, which is designed to prevent young people deemed a risk of offending from entering the youth justice system,” Mr Newman said.

“This program is designed to teach these young people about discipline, rehabilitation and respect for themselves and those around them.

“When we came to Government, we promised a fresh approach to youth justice and these boot camps are a key part of that reform.

“We want these young people to be held accountable for their crimes and to be given an opportunity to turn their lives around under the guidance of mentors and their families.

“We have always maintained the most important aspect of these camps is to ensure the offenders’ families are involved in the rehabilitation process.”

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said it was anticipated the boot camp would be up and running by September.

“In the next few weeks, my department will commence an expression of interest process to give potential service providers an opportunity to tender for the camp,” Mr Bleijie said.

“The number of juveniles being sentenced to community service orders and probation orders in Rockhampton has increased in recent years, which is why we have selected this region.

“We will also be releasing an information paper and survey to give Queenslanders an opportunity to have a say on youth justice policy and help shape a blueprint for the future of youth justice.

“The paper and survey will be available at www.justice.qld.gov.au.

“The Newman Government is committed to changing the culture of youth crime and to achieve this young people must be held accountable for their actions.”

[ENDS] 24 March 2013

Media Contact: Matt Johnston 0432 535 893