The Iemma Government’s pinchpenny attitude towards Juvenile Justice is the cause of revolts at the Cobham Juvenile Detention Centre, Shadow Minister for Juvenile Justice Greg Smith SC said today. 

“The Iemma Government’s failure to fund sufficient staff and overtime at Cobham has led to lockdowns to maintain control of rebellious inmates, reminiscent of scenes from Oliver Twist,” Mr Smith said.

“The modern day Mr Bumbles in the State Labor Government turn a deaf ear to requests for “more”, when it comes to sufficient staffing and resources,” he said.

“This crisis must be solved urgently before it spreads to other detention centres and it is inadequate for the Minister’s office to simply describe the situation as ‘regrettable."

“In an age when it is well recognised that the prospects of rehabilitation are enhanced by staff building a rapport with young offenders and gaining their respect it is mind-blowing that the Iemma Government are leaving staff out on a limb."

“It is a tragedy that Juvenile Justice in this State is suffering from the inadequate provision of front line officers to maintain order and to preserve the compassionate and understanding climate needed to encourage rehabilitation at a vital stage of development, lest young offenders grow into hardened adult criminals."

“Whether this crisis is caused by Budget cuts, plain mismanagement or otherwise, it is another example of the Iemma Government’s inadequate staffing of a vital service in the criminal justice system."

“It’s another case of Morris Iemma and his mates bulking up the backroom while starving front line staff."

“At a time when the criminal justice system needs significant increases in resources, not just in Juvenile Detention, but in the Courts, the DPP and the Police Prosecution Branch, the Iemma Government continues to starve it."

“Let’s hope the Labor Government see the folly of their ways and, like Fagin, they’re ‘reviewing the situation’,” Mr Smith said.