Expressions of interest for Rockhampton boot camp

Applications are open for organisations to pilot a youth boot camp trial in Rockhampton to help deter young people from choosing a life of crime.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie today called for expressions of interest to deliver an early intervention boot camp program at a new trial location.

“The early intervention boot camp will target young people at high risk of long-term involvement in the criminal justice system,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Through a highly structured program, they’ll be taught discipline, respect and responsibility.

“We’re serious about tackling the issue of juvenile crime, and by getting in early, we can steer at-risk young people back onto the right path.

“The program will cover the Rockhampton Regional Council area including Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Mount Morgan.

“Young people can be referred to the program through police, schools, health and child safety services and participation is voluntary.”

Mr Bleijie said the Rockhampton two-year trial should be ready to accept participants later this year.

“Community support agencies will work with young people and their families to address issues known to predict involvement in crime, such as drug, alcohol, mental health and education issues,” he said.

Mr Bleijie said the Rockhampton program, an early intervention boot camp covering the Fraser Coast and a sentenced boot camp at Townsville would supplement existing trials of an early intervention youth boot camp at the Gold Coast and a Cairns sentenced youth boot camp.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, 21 June 2013.

Service providers interested in applying for funding to deliver the program can obtain more details at http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/youth-justice/youth-boot-camps-general-information

An information session for service providers which are considering submitting an expression of interest will be held in Rockhampton on Thursday 23 May 2013.

[ENDS] 14 May 2013

Media contact:  Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Katherine Hornbuckle 0432 535 893