The state government plans to invest $13.55 million in expanding a successful youth-crime prevention program, recently proven effective in Logan.
The ‘Youth Co-Responder’ initiative, run by Queensland police and the Department of Justice, sees specialist staff connect with young people facing, or at risk of facing, the criminal justice system.
This can include driving them to their court sittings, checking in to ensure they are safe, connecting them to family services and getting them enrolled in education pathways.
“In Logan, the Youth Co-Responder team has worked with a young person who is subject to a youth justice order and is case managed by the Department of Youth Justice,” a police spokesperson said.
“Co-Responders have supported the person to reengage with education after a significant period of disengagement by providing transport and encouragement.
“The person has expressed that without the Co-Responders they would never have returned to school and that the experience has dramatically changed their life for the best.”
The investment will provide funding to expand the Logan program, as well as others across the state.
Since their inception, Youth Co-Responders have had nearly 90,000 engagements with at risk young-people.
Premier Steven Miles made the announcement at the Logan police headquarters in Logan Central last week.
“Prevention and intervention are critical in getting vulnerable young Queenslanders back on track,” Mr Miles said.
“It’s the dedication from our hardworking co-responders that have helped to break the cycle of offending for many, and we think that should continue.
“This investment is about backing the evidence – evidence that shows young people come to know, respect and trust their local co-responders, working together on a better future.”
Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the new investment would allow the police to change “the lives of many young people”.
“We know that early intervention is crucial in stopping at-risk young people from becoming serious repeat offenders that put our community at risk,” he said.
“By engaging and diverting them early, we can protect the community and give these young people the best chance to contribute to society.”
Deputy Premier and Woodridge Member Cameron Dick said improving community safety was not about “glib slogans and empty promises”.
“It’s about delivering programs that work,” he said.
“That’s exactly what our Youth Co-Responder initiative does, by enabling young people to turn their lives around.”
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