Queensland unveils tenders for new boot camps for juvenile offenders

The Queensland Attorney-General has authorised a tender process for the operation of two youth boot camps aimed at 13 to 17-year olds. The camps will be trialled for a period of two years, with the northern camp operating as an intensive diversion program for sentenced juvenile offenders, and the south-eastern camp as an early intervention scheme for 'at risk' youths. 

The tender documents propose that the camps will instill 'discipline and respect,' ensure 'direct consequences for offending,' and entail considerable 'supervision.' They can be seen as reflecting a 'tough on crime' approach. 

However, as outlined at TheConversation, there are concerns that the plan will not be as effective as hoped. Evaluations of boot camp programs in the past have demontrated that they are not an effective means of reducing recidivism, and have only marginal impact on cost-savings. 

The boot camp approach is "centred around individual responsibility," says Robyn Lincoln, Assistant Professor of Criminology at Bond University. "This shows a fundamental lack of appreciation of the "causes" of crime - demographic changes, deployment of police, reform to criminal codes, urban design, extended surveillance, tougher supervision orders." 

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