Prisons boss calls for 'healing-rehabilitation centres' for crime-spree kids

An ex-prisons boss has called for ‘healing rehabilitation centres’ for criminal kids to avert a ‘massive social disaster’ in the wake of a mother’s alleged murder.

Keith Hamburger, 78, the former director-general of Queensland’s then Corrective Services Commission, said current approaches to the prison system could only lead to ‘terrible, terrible things’ in the coming years. 

Ms Lovell was stabbed and killed during an alleged home invasion on Boxing Day, with her death leading to public fury. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledged to crack down on crime in the wake of the killing, revealing plans to increase punishments and build two new youth detention centres in Queensland. 

But Mr Hamburger has slammed the plans and called for a ‘reset’ on the way Australia tackles crimes. 

Instead, he advocated for ‘healing and rehabilitation’ centres to replace juvenile detention centres. 

Mr Hamburger said the plan would ensure there are no children behind bars in the state. 

A reception centre would be used to process young offenders, instead of a police station.   

Source” Content adapted from dailymail