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Teenage detainees who climbed on to roof could face damage charges Teenage detainees who climbed on to roof could face damage charges
(6 months later)
Six teenagers who climbed to the top of a Victorian youth detention centre in a seven-hour standoff with guards and police could face criminal damage charges, the head of the state’s youth justice sector has said.Six teenagers who climbed to the top of a Victorian youth detention centre in a seven-hour standoff with guards and police could face criminal damage charges, the head of the state’s youth justice sector has said.
The detainees, aged between 15 and 17, allegedly smashed windows, skylights and air-conditioning units at the Parkville youth justice centre on Monday afternoon before climbing on the roof, where they remained until about 9pm.The detainees, aged between 15 and 17, allegedly smashed windows, skylights and air-conditioning units at the Parkville youth justice centre on Monday afternoon before climbing on the roof, where they remained until about 9pm.
Related: Victorian police arrest 13 for Ravenhall remand centre riot over smoking ban
It was the second rooftop incident at the 123-bed Melbourne centre since October, when another six inmates, one armed with a cricket bat, reportedly climbed on to the roof and had a four-hour standoff with police negotiators.It was the second rooftop incident at the 123-bed Melbourne centre since October, when another six inmates, one armed with a cricket bat, reportedly climbed on to the roof and had a four-hour standoff with police negotiators.
That prompted an inquiry by a former New South Wales Juvenile Justice official Peter Muir, who recommended anti-climb wire be installed on buildings in Victoria’s three youth detention facilities.That prompted an inquiry by a former New South Wales Juvenile Justice official Peter Muir, who recommended anti-climb wire be installed on buildings in Victoria’s three youth detention facilities.
The installation of anti-climb wire around the eaves of the accommodation units is now 80% complete, the state’s children’s minister, Jenny Mikakos, told reporters on Tuesday.The installation of anti-climb wire around the eaves of the accommodation units is now 80% complete, the state’s children’s minister, Jenny Mikakos, told reporters on Tuesday.
“These situations are always challenging,” Mikakos said. “We have some of the most troubled, challenged young people who are incarcerated in the Parkville facility.”“These situations are always challenging,” Mikakos said. “We have some of the most troubled, challenged young people who are incarcerated in the Parkville facility.”
The Department of Health and Human Services says it is in discussions with Muir to review the latest standoff.The Department of Health and Human Services says it is in discussions with Muir to review the latest standoff.
Ian Lanyon is the department’s director of secure services, which encompases youth jutice facilities. He told the talkback radio host Neil Mitchell on 3AW on Tuesday that the group involved had been split up, with some sent to the young adult youth justice facility at Malmsbury, near Bendigo, and some sent to another youth justice facility.Ian Lanyon is the department’s director of secure services, which encompases youth jutice facilities. He told the talkback radio host Neil Mitchell on 3AW on Tuesday that the group involved had been split up, with some sent to the young adult youth justice facility at Malmsbury, near Bendigo, and some sent to another youth justice facility.
A full assessment of the damage was conducted on Tuesday morning but the cost was not yet known, Lanyon said.A full assessment of the damage was conducted on Tuesday morning but the cost was not yet known, Lanyon said.
In mid-2015 a two-day riot over a rumoured smoking ban at Ravenhall adult prison, reported to be the largest prison riot in Victorian history, caused an estimated $10m damage and resulted in the arrest of 13 inmates.In mid-2015 a two-day riot over a rumoured smoking ban at Ravenhall adult prison, reported to be the largest prison riot in Victorian history, caused an estimated $10m damage and resulted in the arrest of 13 inmates.
Asked if the children involved in the Parkville incident would be charged, Lanyon said: “I expect so.”Asked if the children involved in the Parkville incident would be charged, Lanyon said: “I expect so.”
“That would be a matter for Victoria police but certainly Victoria police were in last night and are treating the scene of the incident as a crime scene so I would expect charges will be laid.”“That would be a matter for Victoria police but certainly Victoria police were in last night and are treating the scene of the incident as a crime scene so I would expect charges will be laid.”
He would not comment on reports the teenagers had been jailed for violent crimes or that they had “gang” affiliations, saying: “They’re here for a reason.”He would not comment on reports the teenagers had been jailed for violent crimes or that they had “gang” affiliations, saying: “They’re here for a reason.”
“Victoria has the lowest youth incarceration rates in the country so what that means is the young people that do find themselves in these facilities are very much at that pointy end of our system,” Lanyon said. “So as we saw last night they can display some extremely challenging behaviours for our staff, but I think our staff managed the situation very well indeed.”“Victoria has the lowest youth incarceration rates in the country so what that means is the young people that do find themselves in these facilities are very much at that pointy end of our system,” Lanyon said. “So as we saw last night they can display some extremely challenging behaviours for our staff, but I think our staff managed the situation very well indeed.”
Related: Nearly half of freed prisoners will be back within two years, Victoria forecasts
Lanyon said there were no injuries except for a cut to the leg of one of the detainees, which he said was from climbing through a broken window.Lanyon said there were no injuries except for a cut to the leg of one of the detainees, which he said was from climbing through a broken window.
It followed another incident on Sunday night, when detainees broke into the horticultural area, took tools, and reportedly assaulted another inmate. Guardian Australia has been told that inmate sustained minor injuries and the tools were handed back after the attack. That will also be investigated.It followed another incident on Sunday night, when detainees broke into the horticultural area, took tools, and reportedly assaulted another inmate. Guardian Australia has been told that inmate sustained minor injuries and the tools were handed back after the attack. That will also be investigated.
Lanyon said building tensions at the centre could be linked to what he described as “community affiliations”, but what Mitchell called “gang tensions”, or it could be due to the high turnover of detainees on remand, which he said “exacerbates the dynamic nature of the day-to-day activities in the centre.”Lanyon said building tensions at the centre could be linked to what he described as “community affiliations”, but what Mitchell called “gang tensions”, or it could be due to the high turnover of detainees on remand, which he said “exacerbates the dynamic nature of the day-to-day activities in the centre.”
According to a 2015 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, about 55% of youths in detention in Australia were on remand.According to a 2015 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, about 55% of youths in detention in Australia were on remand.