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NT Law Society urges government to commit to ‘broken’ youth justice system
The Law Society Northern Territory has urged its state government to reform what’s being described as a broken youth justice system.
Emma Musgrave
In particular, the NT Law Society said it is disappointed and concerned about recent events occurring at the local Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, such as the break out of a riot which left a worker injured and saw the temporary closure of its centre for days.
“We welcomed Michael Gunner’s announcement that his government had accepted the intent and direction of all 227 recommendations, and his commitment to reform our broken youth justice system. However, recent incidents in our youth detention centres, culminating in the serious disturbances at Don Dale [recently], have badly shaken our confidence in the government’s capacity to make the changes required.”
Ms Savvas noted that while the Society does not seek to excuse criminal offences, even when committed by children, “it is clear to our members who work at the youth justice coalface that the recent incidents are an all but inevitable outcome of confining these children, most of whom are on remand and presumed innocent, in deplorable conditions little better than those which led to the royal commission being called in the first place”.
“It is unacceptable and arguably unlawful to detain children for lengthy periods in overcrowded cells without access to sunlight, exercise, and meaningful education or other structured activity”, she said.
“It is not too late for the Gunner government to get the reform process back on the rails, but to do so requires political will and the courage to stick to the principles and program laid out for us by the royal commission. It is imperative that the government redouble its efforts to get and keep children out of detention.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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