Queensland to Launch Two Schools for Children on Youth Justice Orders

The Queensland government has unveiled plans to open two dedicated schools for young people on youth justice orders, as part of its broader crime prevention initiative. According to The Guardian, the project is set to open in 2026, and the schools will be established in Cairns and Logan and cater to children who have been convicted of offences and placed on orders such as community service, bail, police cautions or diversion programs. Non-profit organisation ‘Ohana for Youth’ will operate both facilities, which are designed to engage young people through personalised education plans while ma

The Queensland government has unveiled plans to open two dedicated schools for young people on youth justice orders, as part of its broader crime prevention initiative. According to The Guardian, the project is set to open in 2026, and the schools will be established in Cairns and Logan and cater to children who have been convicted of offences and placed on orders such as community service, bail, police cautions or diversion programs. Non-profit organisation ‘Ohana for Youth’ will operate both facilities, which are designed to engage young people through personalised education plans while maintaining strict attendance requirements. Courts will have the authority to mandate school attendance as part of a youth justice order. Non-compliance could constitute a breach of bail, a criminal offence. Founder of Ohana for Youth, Aaron Devine, said each school will accommodate around 50 students and operate for approximately 12 hours a day. The focus will be on delivering individually tailored curriculums aimed at keeping students engaged and out of the criminal justice system. “If they don’t come, then there’ll be consequences,” Devine said. “And if it’s a condition of the youth justice order, then ultimately that’ll be a matter for the youth justice system.” In Logan alone, there are currently about 130 young people under youth justice orders. Premier David Crisafulli announced the initiative under the government’s “Making Queensland Safer” campaign, which forms part of a wider effort to curb youth crime across the state. “The main reason we’re doing this is to give kids one more chance before they spiral into a life of crime, in and out of detention centres, and alienated from a society where they don’t feel valued,” Crisafulli said. In addition to the two schools for youth offenders, the state government will also launch four crime prevention schools for children who have not been convicted but are considered at risk.