Performance audit report

BY THE Queensland Auditor-General

This report focuses on serious repeat offenders and the work entities are doing to address crime by high-risk and serious repeat offenders and assessed whether youth justice strategies and programs are effective in reducing crime by serious repeat offenders and improving community safety. 

Youth crime is complex and has been a growing public concern in recent years. It can have significant impacts – physical, emotional, psychological, and economic – for victims and the wider community. Most young offenders only commit a small number of offences and are diverted away from the youth justice system. However, a small proportion reoffend and commit serious offences. As the underlying causes of youth crime are multi-faceted, effectively addressing the problem requires a whole-of-system approach.

Key findings

• System leadership has improved, but needs to be more effective

• Better system-wide analysis is required to inform investment

• Better system-wide analysis is required to inform investment

• Entities need to better implement their new youth justice strategy

• More can be done to monitor and rehabilitate serious repeat offenders

• The department needs to better manage a young offender’s transition from detention to the community

The report makes recommendations for the Departments of Premier and Cabinet, and Youth Justice, as well as the Queensland Police Service. 

  (Report 15: 2023–24)

Brisbane: Queensland Audit Office, 2024. 70p.