NCJ Number
165379
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper presents findings from a survey of juveniles regarding their participation in and assessments of complaint mechanisms in juvenile justice centres in New South Wales (Australia).
Abstract
Out of 52 juveniles surveyed, 17 were young women. Issues covered in the questionnaire were the respondents' knowledge about complaints mechanisms; whether they had ever pursued a complaint; the issue they complained about; their assessment of the outcome of their complaint; suggestions from the young person about improving complaints procedures; and suggestions from the respondent about how they would like to be informed of the availability of and how to use these procedures. There are four statutory complaint mechanisms for youth in detention in New South Wales: complaint to the superintendent of the juvenile justice centre, complaint to the Official Visitor, complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman, and complaint to the Director- General of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Most of the young women indicated they had made a complaint while in detention. Just over half had made complaints to the Official Visitor. The most frequent comment made by the young women about the handling of the complaint was that "nothing happened." The survey shows the need for and the desirability of improving complaints procedures in New South Wales Juvenile Justice Centres. These procedures must be accessible and appropriate to the needs of juveniles in detention. In particular, complaints mechanisms must be easily understandable, focus on the rights of the juvenile rather than on those of staff or the requirements of departmental policy, and have the capacity to resolve issues promptly or at the very least during the young person's period of detention. Finally, young people who complain should not be subjected to any form of retaliation, reprisal, or punishment for speaking out. 6 references