Youth justice custodial services data
Youth justice custodial services data
The department aims to engage young people in youth justice custodial centres in change by addressing their offending behaviour and equipping them with the skills required for positive community participation, within a safe and secure environment. There are two youth justice custodial precincts in Victoria, one located in Malmsbury and the other in Parkville. In 2014–15:
•the annual daily average number of young males in custody (under 15 years) and females was 18.6
•the annual daily average number of young people in custody (males 15 years plus) was 123.7
•the total number of young people in custody during the year was 684.
Incident reporting
Incident reporting enables service providers to take prompt corrective-action to protect the wellbeing and safety of clients where necessary and better understand the underlying causes of incidents to prevent their recurrence.
Category one incidents are the most serious incidents and include incidents such as death of clients; allegations of physical or sexual assault; and serious client behavioural issues that impact on client or staff safety.
Table 1 Category one incidents
Incident type / 2014–15Client death / 0
Assault / 22
Behaviour / 0
Other incident types / 12
Assault
Assault includes alleged physical and sexual assaults, the majority being physical assaults.In a custodial setting, assaults often occur when young people in a confined space become agitated and frustrated, and this can result in physical force such as hitting or throwing objects.The department has very clear and strict procedures requiring all allegations of assault to be reported to the department within 24 hours, and that clients are protected and supported. All allegations of assault are required to be referred to the police.
Behaviour
Incidents involveaberrant or threatening behaviour.
Other incident types
Other incidents include matters such as drug/alcohol possession and injury.
To receive this publication in an accessible format phone 9096 0000, using the National Relay Service 13 36 77 and ask for the Performance, Regulation and Reporting Branch.Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
© State of Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services October 2015.
Available at
Human service delivery data 2014-15: youth justice custodial services1