The PSA Youth Justice Departmental Committee met with Minister Jihad Dib at PSA House.

In addition to workplace issues such as an inadequate payroll system, members also discussed youth crime with the Minister.

The Minister acknowledged there has been an increase in the population of Youth Justice detainees, saying there is a role for the wider community in combatting youth crime.

Delegates also talked about the challenges of keeping members of ‘postcode gangs’ in separate facilities.

The meeting talked about strategies available to make life in youth gangs less desirable for youths in detention facilities.

Riots in facilities in centres such as Orana were also discussed.

“Our members in Youth Justice are employed in some of the toughest workplaces in the state,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart Little, who attended the meeting. “We need the Minister to know this.”