Deradicalisation programs for NSW youth

The government will introduce deradicalisation programs for youth offenders after an increase in the number of NSW youths jailed on terrorism offences.

Deradicalisation programs, similar to those in adult prisons, will be rolled out in the NSW juvenile justice system for offenders identified as being at risk.

In response to the spike in the number of NSW youths jailed on terrorism offences, the NSW government will create a "countering violent extremism unit" inside the juvenile justice system to try and deradicalise young offenders.

The government says it's also open to toughening laws so high-risk young prisoners can be kept locked up for longer if necessary.

There were no juveniles locked up for terror-related offences in 2015 but today there are five and law enforcement agencies predict "the number will continue to increase".

Under the new policy, inmates deemed a risk will be given a "national security interest" designation, which means they'll be subject to more screening with phone calls, mail and visitors restricted.

At present only the five juveniles held on terror-related charges fall into that category.

"This has tragedy written all over it in every aspect," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

Government attempts to win over at-risk offenders have previously come under fire after it was reported a teenager charged with plotting a terror attack on Anzac Day in Sydney in 2016 had been involved in a deradicalisation program

NSW Labor leader Luke Foley criticised the coalition plan for being too soft and called for a high-risk unit to segregate the "maddest and baddest inmates" in juvenile justice centres from the wider population of detained youth.


Share
Published 8 February 2018 6:08am
Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world