Early intervention ‘boot camps’ to be run in Logan will put a thorn in the side of youth crime, according to the Queensland government.
While details on the local program are scarce, the short-stay “resets”, as the government calls them, will follow a similar program as the one launched in Ipswich last week.
The resets will see at-risk youth aged 12-17 who are showing early signs of disengagement, antisocial or criminal behaviour undertake three short-stay resets over one year.
During the program, participants will receive 24/7 support and supervision, and participate in activities to develop emotional, social, and physical skills.
This will include cultural learning, mentoring, education, outdoor bootcamp-style personal development challenges, and digital detoxes.
The government said the program would also include family engagement sessions and tailored support to help re-engage youth back into their community and divert them from crime.
“We know one of the best ways to reduce crime is to intervene early and these programs are designed to completely reset the habits and behaviours that lead young people down a life of crime,” the Minister for Youth Justice, Laura Gerber, said.
“This program will give at-risk youth the skills, education and support they need to make positive choices and become productive members of their community.
“By turning kids’ lives around early, we will have less youth offenders, fewer victims of crime and a safer community.”
A contact at the minister’s office said the youth justice department was working through contracts relating to the Logan program and would be announced at a later date.
The news arrives just weeks after the government announced Logan would be home to Queensland’s first youth justice school.
Premier David Crisafulli didn’t divulge many concrete details, but did say the school would open to 50 students for enrolment next year.
He said the school would be followed by another at Cairns, with the government allocating $40 million towards setting them up.
Led by Ohana for Youth, an organisation that already runs a school for disengaged youth at Meadowbrook, the local youth justice school will open to “high-risk” teenagers aged 12-17 years old who are on bail, diversion, police cautions or community service orders.
Students of the future school will be subjected to “intensive supervision” five days a week, the government says.
Education will follow a “project-based” version of the national curriculum, with a range of specialist teachers that includes psychologists and speech therapists.
Mr Crisafulli said it was a major step to “turning the tide” on youth crime.
“These youth justice schools will help divert young people away from taking a wrong path, before they become hardened criminals,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“They will teach young people that every action has a consequence, while providing guidance, support and discipline to get them back on the right path.
“Early intervention programs are critical to breaking the cycle of crime, and we won’t stop until there are fewer victims in Queensland.”
