Overview
Liberals will keep the Ashley Youth Detention Centre open.
TasCOSS commentary
This announcement goes against the recommendations of a government-commissioned report which found that the Ashley model of care was leading to high recidivism rates, and that refurbishing Ashley would not make it fit-for-purpose. The report recommended two 12-bed facilities in Hobart and Launceston.
TasCOSS believes that more resources need to be put into evidence-based alternatives to detention such as early intervention or diversion programs. This ‘justice reinvestment’ approach has been shown to produce better justice outcomes.
Read the full policy