Darwin residential youth justice facility up and running

From this week, the Darwin Residential Youth Justice Facility is operational.

Up to 16 young people can be ordered by the Youth Court, to the Darwin program, which is being delivered by First Step Development Enterprises.

The residential youth justice facilities are designed to:

• hold young people to account for their actions
• ensure they get training to turn their lives around
• stop re-offending and get a job.

Young people in the 4 facilities across the NT will engage in year-round education and training that is most suitable to the local job market.

Courts can sentence young people to these facilities as an alternative to youth detention. A minimum sentence of 3-6 months will enable specialist youth justice and education teams to undertake meaningful work with the young people. Putting them on a path to education and employment and away from a life of offending.

The new facility includes 3 sleeping zones with:

• individual rooms with ensuites
• education and training spaces
• a home style and commercial kitchen to learn cooking and life skills and
• outdoor areas.

The Tennant Creek facility is also operating with up to 6 young people able to be accommodated at the Juno Training Centre while a permanent facility is being built.

The Alice Spring Gap Road facility also delivering supported accommodation services.

Work is also underway to establish a facility in Katherine.