It’s hard to establish if it’s coincidence or intentional that a jail for young offenders was built in Airds next to a primary school and directly opposite a high school – all at around the same time.
Corrective Services records say Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre was opened in August of 1973 in Briar Road, Airds.
Campbelltown Council records show that in June of 1972 it was announced a new high school would be built in Briar Road.
By 1974, Airds High School and Briar Road Public School were both in operation.
Since then two wire fences have separated the primary school and the jail for young offenders.
There is no other justice centre or correctional centre in NSW that immediately neighbours a public school.
Now the local MP, Greg Warren, wants a visual barrier put up that stops young eyes from being distracted with what’s going on next door in the jail.
He says it’s “grossly inappropriate’’ that students could see directly into the grounds of Reiby from their school’s playground.
“It’s disgraceful that our youngest and most influential residents are forced to spend hours each day looking into a jail for young people,’’ Mr Warren said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“When the students look beyond the boundaries of their school, they see a juvenile justice centre surrounded by high, razor-wire fencing – it’s hardly inspirational.’’[/social_quote]
Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre has a capacity for 55 young people and primarily accommodates boys who are under the age of 15 and who are on control orders or on remand.
The centre also specialises in managing young male offenders with extreme behavioural problems with a unit specifically designated to address the special needs of this group.
The Department of Education operates a school at Reiby, so that young offenders can continue their studies and learn skills to help them re-enter education, training or the workforce when they leave custody.
Mr Warren wrote to education minister Rob Stokes in late August this year, urging him to install a barrier between the playground and Reiby.
No response has been received.
“Many of the school’s students hail from Airds – one of the most disadvantaged suburbs in the state,’’ says Mr Warren,
“The state government should be doing everything in its power to help kids break that cycle of disadvantage.
“Staff at Briar Road Public School have done and continue to do an incredible job beautifying the school’s grounds – but this is one area they have no control over.
“The barrier could be in the form of a climbing plant or a modern wall.
“Imagine if students had the opportunity to paint the wall – now that is something they could stare at during recess and lunch to draw inspiration from.”
Are you sure that’s what the teachers would choose if they were offered a choice between a pretty painted wall and more resources or staffing?
Maybe it should not be choice of either or…
It’s been there since 1973 so why worry about it now
It is Campbelltown Council’s responsibility to recognise their mistake regarding the initial approval, and sort out a remedy to dismantle and relocate the facility. This matter should be an action item, and be priority on their Reconciliation Action Plan.