Two High-Risk Offenders Stage Standoff At Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre
Throwing rocks at cars
Two high-risk juvenile detainees have staged a standoff at Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre.
The two detainees used a fire extinguisher to smash open a fire exit and scale the roof of Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre.
They were seen throwing rocks at passing cars and attempting to damage the roof with a metal pole.
One detainee is understood to have injured his leg.
PSA General Secretary Stewart Little spoke of the urgent need for therapeutic centres in juvenile justice centres.
“Today’s standoff at Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre is the second in as many months and reinforces the urgent need for therapeutic centres in our juvenile justice centres to manage high-risk detainees.
"A lack of proper investment by the NSW government in rehabilitation for juvenile offenders means that you have the worst-of-the-worst leading young offenders astray. It means our members are constantly at risk of violence, because there is no appropriate management of detainees based on their risk level.
“Even as the number of young offenders drops the violence in juvenile justice centres is rising because there is no investment in training and proper rehabilitation facilities for young offenders.
"PSA is calling for therapeutic centres, which offers the kids proper services like counselling and education to help them. We're also calling for the reintroducition of high-risk offender units, to help minimise the risk of particularly violent detainees.
"We have been in ongoing negotiations with Corrections Minister David Elliott, but today's standoff reinforces just how urgent the need for therapeutic centres is."