4 November 2022
The Annual Report of the Training Centre Visitor, Shona Reid tabled in Parliament this week reinforces the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, say the SA Greens.
“Reports of children being isolated, locked up for long periods and offered meals that aren’t even edible are truly shocking. Surely South Australia can do better than this,” said Greens Attorney General Spokesperson, Robert Simms MLC.
“This report really reinforces the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. Rather than spending so much money on locking up children the State Government should be investing in early intervention and diversion programs. These programs actually work, they make the community safer and reduce harm to vulnerable children.”
Mr Simms has a bill before Parliament to raise the age of criminal responsibility. In September, he revealed through questioning of the Attorney-General in the Parliament that it costs the Government $3,827 a day to keep a child in youth detention.