After-hours bail support service for youths begins today

A new $2 million after-hours bail support service aimed at minimising short periods of remand for young people in the youth justice system starts today, ACT Minister Community Services Joy Burch said today.

Funded in the 2011-12 ACT Budget, the new program is part of a $3.9 million investment to help ensure the youth justice system continues to improve the way it helps young people who have come into conflict with the law.

"Remanding young people in custody should be one of the last resorts of any legal system," Ms Burch said.

"Staff in the service will assist in identifying alternative accommodation for young people if required, and will also be able to assist young people to comply with their bail conditions."

The after-hours bail service will support young people who are already on bail and those facing fresh charges outside of daytime business hours, where bail is being considered.

"The service will operate each evening and into the early hours of the morning to provide advice to police and young people about options to support young people who are going to be placed on bail or who already are on bail.

"We know that reduced exposure to a custodial environment has a significant impact on reducing recidivism amongst young offenders, and through this program we aim to reduce the likelihood of a young person being placed on remand for a short period until the necessary arrangements can be made to grant them bail."

Ms Burch said this was just one of several reforms underway in youth justice, with more than half of the recommendations of the Human Rights Commissions report into the youth justice system already implemented.

"We have started a Youth Drug and Alcohol Court, which has had its first referral from the Children's Court Magistrate, and young people in the youth justice system now retain the same case manager whether they are in the community or at Bimberi."