The Labor Government needs to explain why 29 juvenile justice employees caught viewing and sharing pornography weren’t sacked, Shadow Minister for Juvenile Justice Greg Smith SC said today. 

“These 29 employees were not only breaking the rules by accessing and sharing pornography on computers in Cobham Juvenile Justice centre, they were also neglecting their duties," Mr Smith said.

Answering questions from the NSW Liberal/Nationals at a budget estimates hearing yesterday, Juvenile Justice director general Jennifer Mason said the employees were fined, not sacked.

“The Minister for Juvenile Justice Barbara Perry needs to explain why these employees remain and why they are appropriate people to be watching over juvenile offenders that the courts and community hope will be rehabilitated,” Mr Smith said.

“Young offenders may have had the chance to view this material which would have done nothing for rehabilitation whatsoever,” he said.

“How many hours were spent by these 29 officers watching and sharing pornography and who was doing their job while they were at their computers"?

“It’s a sad state of affairs when we have employees of Juvenile Justice engaged in inappropriate behaviour."

“The Minister needs to set a strong example and that means sacking employees who have engaged in this activity."

“Young people who have fallen foul of the law are put in detention as a last resort and they shouldn’t be entering facilities where employees engage in questionable behaviour."

“This is a serious breach of proper standards and the Minister needs to send a clear signal that this will not be tolerated,” Mr Smith said.