2015-16

PERFORMANCE, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTCOMES
Youth Justice Framework 2015 - 2020
The Youth Justice Framework 2015 – 2020 was
initially endorsed by Government in May 2015.
Subsequently, the Framework underwent minor
review and amendment to ensure that it aligned
with Government’s contemporary plans for
the provision of youth justice services in the
Northern Territory.
The amended Framework was publicly released
by the Department of Correctional Services in
February 2016. The Framework was developed
to guide a coordinated and comprehensive
response to youth crime in the NT.
The Framework was developed following crossagency
and non-government sector consultation.
The Framework provides a 5 year plan with 7 key
focus areas for change to reduce offending and
re-offending by young people.
The key actions for change support the NTG
Pillars of Justice Law Reform initiatives to
enhance community safety and to protect
victims of crime. The Framework will
connect Government initiatives, services and
partnerships with the non-government sector
to provide a coordinated response to youth
offending and its causal criminogenic factors.
NTDCS will support the delivery of the
Framework through its work in the youth justice
sector and is committed to achieving Framework
objectives through:
• the delivery of evidence-based programs
and services;
• improving cross-agency business practice;
• committing to information sharing;
• identifying cost-effective measures by
removing inefficiencies, duplications and
reducing red tape;
• assuring all efforts are reported,
monitored; and evaluated.
Implementation of Northern Territory Youth
Detention System Report Recommendations
On 18 February 2015, the Review of the
Northern Territory Youth Detention System
Report – a roadmap for youth detention (also
known as the Vita Report), was released.
Following the release of the Vita Report, the
Department of Correctional Services (NTDCS)
established the Youth Detention Reform
Advisory Group (YDRAG) to monitor the
implementation of the recommendations and
ensure the recommendations had met their
intended objectives and outcomes.
Information on the membership of YDRAG is
available on page 30.
Recommendations Update
The Department of Correctional Services has
implemented the 16 recommendations, with:
• three of the recommendations (4, 14,
and 15) requiring no further action; and
• twelve of the recommendations (1, 2,
3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 16) now
either forming part of departmental
ongoing practice or nearing completion.
• one recommendation (11) is still in
progress and is close to finalisation.
Recommendation 1:
• A Certificate III Correctional Practice
(Youth Justice) has been finalised for NT
Youth Justice Officers (YJOs).
• YJO’s undertake a rigorous eight week
training course – essential training
for both existing and new staff. The
eight week course, including face-toface
and online training, is followed by
ten months on-the-job training that
prepares staff to fulfill this difficult role.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
71