The individuals in the Ashley Youth Detention Centre are children. That's a sobering thought when you read, in a right to information request, that there appears to be no consequences for detainees assaulting staff, no access to nicotine patches and only milk is on offer to drink.
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Some people are quick to call the youth criminals and scoff at the idea they should have access to anything but bread and water.
What those comments fail to take into account is the purpose of the centre.
Ashley sits under the Department of Health and Human Services - not the Justice Department.
The DHHS website says: "The purpose of Ashley Youth Detention Centre is to provide secure care and custody for young men and women who are detained or remanded by the courts, through the provision of rehabilitative programs in accordance with the principles of the Youth Justice Act 1997".
The Youth Justice Act 1997 has a dual requirement - to rehabilitate young people who are in conflict with the law and to protect the community from illegal behaviour.
Many of the youth who wind up in the centre come from broken homes, have suffered some form of abuse or neglect, or have mental and/or intellectual disorders. Some of the detainees have had an upbringing considered to be normal. This does not excuse any crimes.
There are four outcomes and purposes for incarceration - retribution, incapacitation, deterrance and rehabilitation.
These are all relevant for Ashley detainees, however, to avoid the detainees just moving onto Risdon, the focus should be on rehabilitation. That includes discipline, but also programs to support the youth re-entering society and having a chance in life.
This is a win for the detainee, but also for every Tasmanian. Through support, if they become contributing members to society this obviously reduced crime, and also saves money for the government (therefore taxpayers) in terms social security, justice, housing and potentially even health.
Clearly the support system to improve the chances of rehabilitation needs reform and upgrades.