ANNEX E: SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Social Impact Assessment Summary The financial costs and savings notwithstanding, the options are also intended to provide social benefits to youth at risk, as well as the broader Tasmanian community. Our summary assessment is that any refurbishment of AYDC is unlikely to drastically improve the therapeutic environment of the detention centre to the level required or improve opportunities to enhance safety for its workforce. A new purpose-built facility, supported by the right mix of staff and youth workers, is going to provide the level of therapeutic care required to get better outcomes for young people and the community. Depending on the locations for any new facilities, the improvement in access to family and community services, and as a result the effectiveness of through-care support, is a significant factor to consider in assessing each option. Table 9: Social impact summary Options Alignment with Strategic Social Benefits Social Costs Objectives Option 1: Minimal improvement given Minimises the upfront costs Some social impacts of Upgrade current design constraints, and may deliver some minor unemployment as AYDC staff requirements reduces52 AYDC facility age of the facilities and the improvements to the centre location (access to therapeutic approach community services) through improved facilities Option 2: The construction of a new Partial implementation of Efficiency loss in running Maintain facility in Hobart will provide therapeutic approach, which ADYC and another youth AYDC and improved access to only applies to the facility in detention facility construct an community services and Hobart due to improved Some social impact of additional families for some detainees, access to community unemployment as a result of facility however, existing AYDC facilities and services staff reductions (partially issues are not fundamentally Job creation in Hobart offset by the benefits of addressed alternative employment as they become more A new facility offers the chance to completely productive in other jobs53) redefine the custodial youth justice model, resulting in enhanced rehabilitation and safety for residents and staff based at this facility, as well as the community Deloraine staff are unlikely to all find new jobs. 52 Ibid. 53
ANNEX E: SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Social Impact Assessment Summary The financial costs and savings notwithstanding, the options are also intended to provide social benefits to youth at risk, as well as the broader Tasmanian community. Our summary assessment is that any refurbishment of AYDC is unlikely to drastically improve the therapeutic environment of the detention centre to the level required or improve opportunities to enhance safety for its workforce. A new purpose-built facility, supported by the right mix of staff and youth workers, is going to provide the level of therapeutic care required to get better outcomes for young people and the community. Depending on the locations for any new facilities, the improvement in access to family and community services, and as a result the effectiveness of through-care support, is a significant factor to consider in assessing each option. Table 9: Social impact summary Options Alignment with Strategic Objectives Social Benefits Social Costs Option 1: Upgrade AYDC facility Minimal improvement given current design constraints, age of the facilities and the centre location (access to community services) Minimises the upfront costs and may deliver some minor improvements to the therapeutic approach through improved facilities Some social impacts of unemployment as AYDC staff requirements reduces52 Option 2: Maintain AYDC and construct an additional facility The construction of a new facility in Hobart will provide improved access to community services and families for some detainees, however, existing AYDC issues are not fundamentally addressed A new facility offers the chance to completely redefine the custodial youth justice model, resulting in enhanced rehabilitation and safety for residents and staff based at this facility, as well as the community Partial implementation of therapeutic approach, which only applies to the facility in Hobart due to improved access to community facilities and services Job creation in Hobart Efficiency loss in running ADYC and another youth detention facility Some social impact of unemployment as a result of staff reductions (partially offset by the benefits of alternative employment as they become more productive in other jobs53) 52 Deloraine staff are unlikely to all find new jobs. 53 Ibid.
99010_Custodial_Youth_Justice_Options_Paper_October_2016_-_Report_for_the_Tasmanian_Government.docx