Boot camps to break youth crime cycle

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to overhaul youth justice and says boot camp trials are the starting point.

Mr Bleijie said the boot camps were a key component of the Newman Government’s proactive approach to help young offenders rehabilitate.

It comes as Dr Troy Allard, one of the authors of an Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) report into youth justice, questioned the effectiveness of military-style boot camps.

“We have made it very clear from the out-set ours will not be military-style boot camps,” Mr Bleijie said.

“They will provide discipline, structure and physical training, but they will also have a community-focused component on family, education and social issues.

“The AIC report states that military style boot camps and increased sentences don’t work.

“However, Dr Allard also conceded that if the boot camps are aimed at enhancing life and social skills they can be quite effective.

“Ultimately we want to change the culture of youth crime and reduce the number of repeat offenders and we are confident the boot camps will achieve this.”

Mr Bleijie said the report, which showed more than 2,000 offenders had cost Queensland more than $130 million in 10 years, highlighted the Labor Government’s inability to deal with the issue.

“What we are seeing in this report released by the AIC this morning are the results of the former Labor Government's slap on the wrist approach,” he said.

“It was not effective and instead created a generation of arrogant repeat offenders, who are all too familiar with the revolving door of the state’s courts.

“Our approach will be holistic, involving government, community and family and I have been travelling the state as part of the consultation to ensure we get that structure right.

“The boot camps will give young people an opportunity to learn values, respect and responsibility.”

Media Contact – Matt Johnston 3238 3372