Youth prison near Little River to open

VICTORIA’S new youth prison to the east of Little River is expected to accept its first intake within weeks.

The Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct will replace the Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct, which will close at the end of this year.

The $419 million centre has 140 beds.

Purpose-built design features at Cherry Cheek include an intensive intervention community, a specialised primary health centre, and two mental health units.

It will accommodate young people in smaller units of four, so staff can provide more targeted and individual support in a safer environment, including modern security systems.

 

The precinct will provide more education and training opportunities, including VCE and VET courses.

Educational and vocational services will be delivered through a new partnership between Parkville College, The Gordon TAFE and Virtual Schools Victoria.

All staff at Cherry Creek will receive additional training and responsibilities that support the delivery of psychosocial programs and case management.

The first cohort of males aged between 15 and 18 is expected to arrive by August.

The existing Parkville Youth Justice Precinct will remain open, and young people at the Malmsbury precinct will be progressively transferred to Cherry Creek and Parkville across the next six months.

“The opening of the Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct marks a new era of modern, fit-for-purpose support for young people, better safety for staff and ultimately a safer community for all Victorians,” Minister for Youth Justice Enver Erdogan said.

The state government says staff at Malmsbury will be provided with a range of supports including opportunities to transition into other roles, as well as career advice, targeted separation packages and incentive payments paid over the next six months.

The Victorian Liberals have criticised the Labor Government’s handling of the changes, including the projected reductions to the “dual-track” system.

Under dual-track, courts can sentence young adults aged 18 to 20 years to a Youth Justice Centre rather than an adult prison “if the young person is particularly impressionable, immature or likely to be subject to undesirable influences in adult prison”.

“The dual-track system, instituted by the Liberal Nationals, is a proven system that has results, and the Andrews Government has closed its prime facility and the capacity for the program will be significantly reduced,” Shadow Minister for Youth Justice Brad Battin said.The main entrance of Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct.