Qld youth offenders who breach bail to receive mandatory sentences

The Queensland government is set to implement mandatory minimum sentences for youth offenders who breach bail conditions, Premier David Crisafulli announced. This significant bail reform is part of the state's Adult Crime, Adult Time (ACAT) initiative, and could potentially extend to adult offenders too. However, corrective services workers' unions have expressed concerns about the possible increase in prisoner numbers.

According to new data, serious repeat youth offenders have dropped by 29% since the ACAT legislation's introduction, but 61% of them allegedly committed an offence while on bail, and 38% committed an ACAT-listed offence. Premier Crisafulli emphasized that these reforms would be the most substantial bail changes in Queensland's history, stating that the state has already expanded its ACAT laws twice to cover 47 offences.

Cindy Micallef, whose mother was fatally stabbed by a repeat offender, supports the bail reforms, stating that stronger laws could have prevented her mother's death. Unions worry that the influx of new prisoners could strain the corrective services system, with the state's audit office predicting a 54% increase in inmates over the past decade.

The Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) is already planning for an additional 1,500 to 5,200 prisoners by June 2035. Deputy Union assistant branch secretary Michael Thomas warned that implementing triple-ups (housing up to three prisoners in a cell designed for one) could lead to more assaults on prison officers and jeopardize the safety of correctional officers.

Despite the concerns, Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber confirmed that the government has brought on some extra capacity, with a further 1,400 beds set to come online in the next couple of years. She acknowledged the likelihood of more prisoners entering the system under the bail reforms but maintained that the data demonstrates the severity of the challenge faced.