Children as young as ten could be fitted with a GPS device while on bail under major changes to the state's youth justice laws. The government introduced laws to state parliament today to make a trial of the monitoring devices permanent.
00:05It means they've got nowhere to hide and it means that police can watch and monitor their every step.
00:09Courts will soon have the power to fit children aged 10 and up with a GPS monitoring device as a bail condition.
00:17We want to see more of it. We want it to be available to more young offenders.
00:20Queensland has trialled GPS monitoring for youth offenders since 2021.
00:25It's currently used for kids aged 15 and over who commit certain offences and live in certain areas.
00:33There is currently 32 youth in the community that have an EM device fitted to them.
00:39Some of the young people that I've spoken to have found that electronic monitoring devices have caused them to think about their offending behaviour and reduce offending.
00:47The new changes will see the devices used statewide and even apply to first-time offenders.
00:53The big challenge with electronic monitoring devices is having a safe stable home where the device can be charged each night and where there is access to 4G phone and internet.
01:05The government says the Youth Justice Department will put forward suitability reports to the courts.
01:11That suitability report will give the courts the information they need to know around whether or not there is 4G coverage, around whether or not there is bail support services in place.
01:21An independent evaluation of the GPS monitoring trial commissioned by the government suggested the measure reduce re-offending and increase bail compliance, but there was also stigma associated with the devices.
01:33I'm sure it's uncomfortable and I'm sure it's a little embarrassing to wear one, but there is a pretty easy solution around that. Don't offend.
01:41Some of the kids talk about having a real stigma and they can't find employment when they have them on, but I think overall we're just happy that they're not in the detention centres.
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