Youth Justice Custodial Services

Custodial services in Victoria

Youth justice centres supervise young people aged 10 to 18 on remand or a custodial order from the Children's Court. Young people 18 years and above are remanded by adult courts to prison under the Sentencing Act 1991.

Victoria is unique in Australia in having a juvenile sentencing option for young people aged 18 to 20 who are being dealt with by adult courts, known as the 'dual track' system. This is designed to provide an alternative to prison and prevent early entry into the adult system for offenders who are vulnerable or who have a greater prospect of rehabilitation.

Role of the Youth Justice Custodial Services Branch

The Youth Justice Custodial Services Branch manages the operational activities of the three Victorian Youth Justice centres:

• Melbourne Youth Justice Centre
• Parkville Youth Residential Centre
• Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre

The Chief Executive Officer of each of the centres reports directly to the Director of the Youth Justice Custodial Services Branch.

The three youth justice centres have a combined capacity of 222 clients, employ approximately 350 staff.

The purpose of the Youth Justice Custodial Services Branch is to maximise the operational effectiveness and accountability of the three youth justice custodial centres.

The vision statement of Youth Justice Custodial Services is "To engage young people in positive change", which is achieved by work in four priority areas: keeping the organisation healthy; managing business well; achieving good outcomes; and getting better at what we do.

The objectives of the Youth Justice Custodial Services Branch are:

• Identify opportunities for service improvement and initiate strategies and processes to achieve these service improvements.
• Identify opportunities to enhance practice consistency across the three youth justice centres and initiate strategies and processes to achieve this.
• Maximise the accountability of the three youth justice custodial centres with respect to the required performance requirements.
• Ensure a safe environment for staff and clients.
• Promote the provision of appropriate facilities and amenities for clients and staff that respect their privacy and dignity.
• Maximise the rehabilitative opportunities and outcomes for clients in the three custodial centres.
• Develop strategies that maximise the appropriate balance between client rehabilitation and wellbeing and the safety and wellbeing of the community.
• Promote and develop positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Identify and develop strategies that promote an integrated youth justice system, of which the three custodial centres are an important component.

Contacts

Alex Kamenev, Director, Youth Justice Custodial Services Branch
Telephone +61 3 9096 8231
Email: alex.kamenev@dhs.vic.gov.au

Steve Johnson, CEO, Parkville Youth Justice Precinct
900 Park Street, Parkville VIC 3052
Telephone: +61 3 9389 4200
Email: steve.johnson@dhs.vic.gov.au

Ian Curwood, CEO, Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre
Calder Highway, Malmsbury VIC 3446
Telephone: +61 3 5421 3100
Email: ian.curwood@dhs.vic.gov.au