WA: Juveniles to be tagged under WA crime crackdown

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2004
WA: Juveniles to be tagged under WA crime crackdown

Youngsters who repeatedly break the law in Western Australia could soon be forced to
wear electronic ankle bracelets as part of a crackdown on juvenile crime by the state
government.

Premier GEOFF GALLOP has announced a four-year, $20 million package aimed at ensuring
intensive 24-hour-a-day supervision of chronic young criminals.

He's described the program as a national first, saying it's based on a similar system
pioneered in America and now used in 30 states in that country as well as in Canada, parts
of Europe and New Zealand.

Dr GALLOP says this new intensive supervision program is part of the biggest shake-up
of juvenile justice in WA's history, which will combine tough new legislative measures
with world's best practice programs.

He says the program will be backed by changes to the Young Offenders Act which provides
for the electronic monitoring of serious and repeat offenders.

AAP RTV tgr/tc/hu/de/jo/wz

KEYWORD: JUVENILE (PERTH)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.