Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services could be prosecuted and fined over its management of the state's youth justice centres, as two inmates attempt to break out of Malmsbury.
none Photo: 123.rf
The detention system has been plagued by a series of violent riots, assaults on prison staff and inmates, and escapes.
WorkSafe is investigating whether the Department of Health and Human Services has breached its responsibilities in managing the centres but it will be months before any potential charges are laid.
In a statement, the department said the welfare of young people and staff was paramount.
"The Victorian government is improving safety for staff with reinforced infrastructure, additional resources, support from the Department of Justice and Regulation and greater powers to resolve incidents quickly," it said.
"We will work with WorkSafe to ensure any further issues are resolved for staff as soon as possible."
Last night two inmates tried to escape from the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in central Victoria.
The alarm was raised shortly before 6.30pm after a 20-year-old and a 21-year-old were reported missing from a low-security section at the facility.
Police were called in but the pair was found a short time later by prison staff on the premises.
One of the men was treated for minor injuries. There was no damage to property.
In February there was a mass break-out at Malmsbury involving 15 inmates.
'Youth justice system in crisis,' Opposition says
The riot damage at Parkville was so bad some inmates were moved to a section of the high-security adult Barwon Prison, and others to Malmsbury.
Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services could be prosecuted and fined over its management of the state's youth justice centres, as two inmates attempt to break out of Malmsbury.
It led the Victorian government to announce it would build a new $288 million detention centre in Melbourne's west.
The Opposition's Georgie Crozier said the ongoing incidents had reached crisis point.
"There have been ongoing riots, there's been tens of millions of dollars' damage and now more escapes," she said.
"Daniel Andrews has allowed the system to be absolutely chaotic, as a result WorkSafe have had to go in constantly into Malmsbury.
"It's another example of why this system is in crisis."
A report into conditions at the detention centres found some inmates had been forced to relieve themselves on the floor of isolation rooms due to a lack of toilet facilities, and had been confined to their rooms for weeks at a time.
- ABC
