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I think people might not understand what happens when you put a child in prison - and how it can lead to a bright, hopeful future turning into whole life behind bars.
First, young kids are usually arrested and locked up on remand for minor, non-violent offences.
First, young kids are usually arrested and locked up on remand for minor, non-violent offences.
Theft, property damage, motor vehicle offences - I'm not saying these things aren't bad - but they're behaviours born of need, impulse and boredom. They are not malicious or cruel.
So these kids are picked up by police, not necessarily very gently either, locked up &
So these kids are picked up by police, not necessarily very gently either, locked up &
hauled before a court. Maybe they're granted bail, maybe not. if they're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander they are less likely to be granted bail than if they are non-Indigenous.
If they get bail, chances are they'll be put on conditions they have no chance of complying with
If they get bail, chances are they'll be put on conditions they have no chance of complying with
E.g. stick to a curfew when they have no regular access to a car or public transport to get home, and someone's late to pick them up. Non-association orders that mean they can't see their friends, or neighbours, or cousins, which they invariably and predictably break.
If they don't get bail, or if they get sent to detention when they breach their bail, they are locked up in youth detention centres on remand.
That means being separated from their families, community, taken out of school and locked in a cell.
That means being separated from their families, community, taken out of school and locked in a cell.
That's not good for a kid. It's even worse if you have trauma, mental health issues, disability, cognitive impairment or rly ANYTHING going on for you at all.
We know the majority of kids in detention have some form of disability - guess where there's no access to NDIS? Prison.
We know the majority of kids in detention have some form of disability - guess where there's no access to NDIS? Prison.
Youth detention centres are also notoriously understaffed so kids get subjected to long periods of "lock down" in their cells where they can't go outside, exercise, go to school. They get bored and angry and sad and agitated.
Like any of us would. Like kids do.
Like any of us would. Like kids do.
Guards / staff are not trained to deal with sad, traumatised kids or kids with disabilities; so they get frustrated and angry with the kids. They punish them for perceived misbehaviour. They lock them in their cells or in 'separation' (solitary confinement for kids)
So kids act up. They get so upset and frustrated by this absolute disaster of a system and the way that they are being treated that they break something, or push someone, or try to break out and all of a sudden they're charged with property damage or assault or inciting a riot
and BOOM there you have it. Kid gets locked up for shoplifting a baseball cap or going for a joyride... and now they're in prison facing charges of assault or tying to escape custody or starting a riot.
And that cycle happens again and again and again.
And that cycle happens again and again and again.
All because politicians decide to prioritise the political kudos they can get from 'tough on crime' measures that do nothing to keep anyone safe, over the humanity and futures of children who need our help.
