Removing 17 year olds from adult prisons

Since the release of the Commission's Policy Position Paper Removing 17 year olds from adult prisons and including them in the youth justice system in November last year, the Commission has continued its dialogue with the Department of Communities. Amongst other things, the Commission's Policy Position Paper recommended that before 1 March 2011, the Department identify a time that it would be in a position to include 17 year olds in the youth justice system.

The Commission acknowledges the impact that the recent floods and Cyclone Yasi have had on the prioritisation of policy, program and resource allocation, including legislative changes required to remove 17 year olds from adult prisons and has now asked that Minister Struthers identify a time, preferably within the first half of 2011, by when she will be able to say when 17 year olds will be included in the youth justice system.

Find out more and download the Commission's Policy Position Paper.

Last Updated: March 1, 2011

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