Ashley continues despite planned three year reset

The government continues to advertise positions at Ashley Youth Detention Centre despite its announced closure in three years. 

The job ads come as the Mercury newspaper reports that the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian government response to child sexual abuse allegations will hear evidence in February and March.

The Mercury reported that council assisting the commission, Maree Norton, said abuse at AYDC may have been happening at much higher rates than has been reported.

At least five new positions have been advertised at AYDC, with salaries ranging between $54,000 for a full time grounds maintenance officer, and $95,000 to $107,000 for a full time policy and project support officer. 

Other positions advertised include an operations support officer, a full time training co-ordinator and a youth worker.

Building works are also obvious at the site but the government has avoided answering questions about their purpose.

The current occupancy of the centre is around ten inmates.

Commenting on the advertised positions, a government spokesperson said, ‘The AYDC will continue to be important in meeting the needs of young people in custody over the next three years.

‘The Department of Communities will continue to maintain a skilled workforce at AYDC during this period.

‘Recruitment of youth workers and other positions will continue to occur as necessary.

‘Importantly, there is no immediate impact to anyone who works at the centre.’

In a recent comment piece in The Examiner, Tanya Rattray MLC said she asked what different outcomes the government expected by closing AYDC.

‘I was told the decision was about setting our approach to the youth justice system and young people at risk on a new footing,’ Ms Rattray wrote.

‘The government will invest in a contemporary, nation-leading, therapeutic approach, across the whole youth justice system.’

She said Australian reviews had concluded inmates in centres such as AYDC need professional care. 

‘They concluded youth detention centres have detrimental effects on children. 

‘Separation, segregation and confinement as a means of punishment is associated with physical and psychological damage which can often interrupt education and rehabilitation. 

‘All reports conclude detention is to be used as a last resort and there should be an increase in the use of diversion programs.

‘Youth justice detention costs the state $1 million a year for each child. About 10 times more expensive than an adult prisoner.

‘The costs don’t stop there as the effects of detention can lead to a child’s repeated involvement in the youth justice system and later to the adult justice system,’ she said.