SYDNEY, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A scathing report has recommended that Victoria's largest youth justice center be closed in the midst of a youth crime crisis.
The report, carried out by former Victoria Police chief commissioner Neil Comrie, warned that many dangerous teen criminals entering the Parkville detention center were regularly using their physical stature to intimidate staff.
The recommendation to close Parkville as Victoria is in the midst of a youth crime wave lead by violent youth gangs such as the Apex Gang.
The Parkville youth justice center has been the subject of a number of incidents in the past 12 months, notably a number of violent riots during which the center was significantly damaged.
The detention facility in Malmsbury, 100 km north of Melbourne, has also been the subject of a youth justice crisis with 15 detainees escaping from the facility and stealing cars before going on the run for a number of days in January.
The independent review by Comrie warned that the youth prison had "inherent safety and security issues" which made it an unacceptable risk to staff and young offenders.
Jenny Mikakos, Victoria's Families and Children Minister, said the center should have been closed years ago.
"This report confirms what we've always said, that we need a new, secure, fit-for-purpose youth justice facility," Mikakos told News Limited on Monday.
Comrie's report said funding commitments to upgrade the facility would not fix the underlying problems.
"These fundamental flaws have become more exposed and evident in recent years and are now being exploited by a cohort of young violent offenders who are intent on breaking through insecure barriers and causing purposeless, wanton criminal damage to the precinct facilities," the report said.
"As a consequence of the incidents of 12 to 14 November 2016, where extensive damage was caused to the Precinct, rendering all of the residential units at the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre uninhabitable, there are major works being undertaken to reinstate, strengthen and fortify these units.
"Nevertheless, the Reviewer has concluded that these works can only be an interim response to a situation that requires a more extensive and holistic long-term solution."
The Victorian Government is set to announce that a brand new 190 million U.S. dollar facility will be built in Melbourne's western suburbs.
