Terror teens in NSW juvenile system to have greater security and de-radicalisation programs
Updated
The NSW Premier says she wishes new security measures introduced for teenagers convicted of terror offences were unnecessary, "but it is a sign of our times unfortunately".
Teens in NSW juvenile justice centres who are deemed a threat to national security will have their communications monitored and undergo new de-radicalisation programs, despite the Government admitting there's no evidence they actually work.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also not ruled out keeping extremist teens in prison beyond the end of their sentences, by extending laws which currently apply only to adult radicalised prisoners.
The $6 million scheme for minors
Ms Berejiklian said the measures were necessary because the number of juvenile detention prisoners charged with terrorism-related offences in NSW has risen from zero in 2015 to five.
Under the new $6 million scheme, juvenile detainees deemed by law enforcement agencies to pose a possible risk will be given a national security interest designation and face increased screening and restrictions on mail, phone calls and visitors.
Young prisoners in custody for terror-related offences, and others who are thought to have been radicalised inside juvenile detention, would be targeted by a new Countering Violent Extremism Unit.
They will be made to go through de-radicalisation programs, like those that run in adult jails, in what the Counter Terrorism and Corrections Minister David Elliot said was a world first.
"We're actually leading the world when it comes to policies like this, this is something other agencies and jurisdictions will be monitoring," Mr Elliot said.
'No evidence' de-radicalisation works
The Minister admitted there was no evidence de-radicalisation programs actually worked, but said the Government had to try everything in its power to prevent another attack.
"There is no evidence anywhere in the world that de-radicalisation programs have been working en masse at the moment," Mr Elliot said.
"There is only one way to de-radicalise somebody, and that is to prevent them from being radicalised in the first place."
Mr Elliot said once a juvenile prisoner with a national security interest designation was released, it would be up to intelligence agencies to monitor them.
But he said the Government was open to looking at whether laws that keep radicalised adult prisoners in jail after their sentences expire should be extended to juvenile prisoners.
"We are open minded about everything, this is a brave new world," Mr Elliot said.
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