A Fresh Start for Queensland: Youth crime prevention and rehabilitation programs underway
- Information sessions for stakeholders for Regional Reset and Staying on Track have commenced as part of the Crisafulli Government's commitment to arresting Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
- The sessions are the first stage of the tender process for key youth crime fighting programs and deliver on the Crisafulli Government's commitment to commence work within the first 100 days of government.
- Regional Reset will deliver one-to-three week 'resets' for at-risk youth while Staying on Track delivers a 12-month post-detention rehabilitation program, complementing the government's Making Queensland Safer Laws.
The first regional stakeholder information sessions have started today for two critical government youth crime fighting programs, Regional Reset and Staying on Track, delivering on a key commitment from the government's 100 Day Plan.
The government will hold 12 sessions across the State to inform stakeholders as the first stage of the tender process for the early intervention and rehabilitation programs.
Both programs are key pillars of the Government's Making Our Community Safer Plan and part of the Fresh Start Queenslanders voted for.
The Staying on Track program will deliver a 12-month rehabilitation program post-detention for youth, including at least 6 months' intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and prevent them from falling into a cycle of repeat crime, driving down the state's 91% recidivism rate.
The Regional Reset program will deliver nine early intervention residential programs with a one to three week 'reset' for those demonstrating high-risk behaviours including substance abuse, aggression, or truancy, providing youth with the skills to divert from crime before they become serious repeat offenders.
Premier David Crisafulli said The Regional Reset and Staying on Track programs would help break the cycle of crime which had flourished under Labor's weak laws and fewer police.
"These new programs are about pushing the reset button on young lives and providing them with the life skills, education, and support to turn towards a brighter future," Premier Crisafulli said.
"Early intervention isn't a one size fits all, but Regional Reset will extend a helping hand to troubled kids and pull them off the trajectory they're currently on.
"While it will take time to break the cycle of crime, Staying on Track will deliver critical rehabilitation after detention, turning kids away from crime and reverting to their old ways.
"After 10 years of decline there is no overnight silver bullet but we won't stop until there are fewer victims in Queensland.
"With early intervention and rehabilitation we can start to turn the tide on youth crime and start to make our community safer."
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the briefing sessions are an important step to inform stakeholders on the initiatives and to seek feedback on the programs.
"Queenslanders were promised action to address youth crime in the first 100-days in Government, and we are delivering on that commitment," Minister Gerber said.
"These programs are aimed at intervening in kids' lives before they're hardened criminals, to provide them with the support to get back on the right track.
"Reoffending rates have skyrocketed under Labor and these programs will help reduce the cycle of repeat youth offenders and prevent more Queenslanders from becoming victims of crime.
"A youth crime sentence shouldn't breed better criminals and Staying on Track will give kids leaving detention the support they need to divert them from crime and ensure they have the skills to build a positive future.
"The Regional Reset program is part of the Crisafulli Government's suite of early intervention measures to give at risk youths the best chance at a brighter future."
