New boot camp for Cairns

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has announced that his department’s Director-General has terminated the contract of the Cairns boot camp’s operator, Safe Pathways.

Mr Bleijie said it followed an incident at the camp’s Kuranda residence in April.

“What happened at Kuranda was totally unacceptable,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Following the incident, I immediately issued Safe Pathways with a Show Cause notice and gave them seven days to justify why they should keep their contract.

“Their response wasn’t good enough. I share the concerns of the local community and a fresh start is now necessary.”

Mr Bleijie today called for expressions of interest to develop a new boot camp for the Cairns catchment.

“The sentenced youth boot camp will see prolific young offenders take responsibility for their behaviour and participate in a program that addresses the causes of their offending,” he said.

“This won’t be a holiday camp. The program will provide discipline, structure and physical training and a community focused component on family, education and social issues.

“The two year trial will service 20 young people each year and the new camp will be away from urban or populated areas. Community safety is our top priority.

“It will include a one-month residential phase with 24/7 supervision, followed up with community supervision and mentoring.

“This is a chance to turn young lives around and break the cycle of revolving door re-offending, bred by years of just slaps on the wrist.”

The closing date for applications from organisations is 5pm on Friday, 14 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

[ENDS] 20 May 2013

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Katherine Hornbuckle 0402 862 351