Offenders move into centre
Jan 20, 2009
After years of consulting, planning and building, the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre is now fully operational.
A total of 13 young offenders were relocated to the Mitchell centre before Christmas, with more to come through the new year.
ACT Minister for Children and Young People Andrew Barr said the move had been a success and the new residents were settling in nicely. "The staff and residents have responded positively to their new environment," Mr Barr said." He said positive rehabilitation was essential if young offenders were to be an asset to their communities. "Helping these young people become constructive members of the community is good for all Canberrans," Mr Barr said.
The new $42.5 million youth detention centre is the first in Australia to comply with global human rights standards and replaces the old Quamby Youth Detention Centre at Symonston. Decommissioning has now commenced at Quamby.
Bimberi residents have access to a broad range of recreational and educational facilities, which are designed to educate and prepare young offenders for their lives in the greater community. These include schooling, money management, cooking, preparing for jobs and interviews, anger management, communication skills, computer skills, woodwork, metal work, art and music.
Residents at Bimberi will also have the chance to earn free time to watch television, socialise or participate in sport in the gym, oval or swimming pool.
For many of Bimberi's occupants, the facilities and programs on offer inside are inaccessible in the wider community. Residents are not made to wear traditional prison greens, rather dark blue polo style t-shirts with a white stripe. They also have a choice of blue or ivory cargo style shorts and Dunlop Volley sandshoes.
The official opening of the centre was held in September, however thorough testing of systems and processes and comprehensive staff training delayed the actual opening until late December.
In early December, Opposition spokesman for youth Alistair Coe labelled the early openings as a sham and accused the government of performing "election media stunts".
Source: The Northside Chronicle – 19 January 2009.
The Chronicle is published by The Federal Capital Press Pty Ltd - 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick.
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