The number of young people detained at Ashley Youth Detention Centre has reached its highest level in 18 months, with a Greens MP saying the state government must “ditch their ‘tough on crime’ crap”.
An average of 19 young people were held at the centre each day in the final quarter of 2025 – up 17% from 16.2 in the same period of 2024 – according to newly published government data.
The figure is approaching the recent peak of 21.5 recorded in June 2024.
Greens Bass MP and children’s spokesperson Cecily Rosol said the increase contradicted government claims that numbers were falling.
The state government says the centre “experiences day to day fluctuations” in numbers of detainees.
“When the Liberals announced they would close Ashley five years ago, there were nine children at the centre daily,” she said.
“The Rockliff government keeps saying they’re reducing the number of young people at Ashley, but this data shows that’s just not true. In fact, their polices are continuing to make things worse.”
Rosol said the rise reflected the government’s ‘tough’ approach to youth crime, arguing it was locking up more young people rather than reducing offending.
“The Liberals need to ditch their ‘tough on crime’ crap and focus on reducing the number of young people locked up,” she said.
The data comes amid community concern about youth crime, where recent violent incidents in Glenorchy, Moonah and Invermay have prompted calls for stronger action.
Independent MLC Bec Thomas this week advocated for a “zero-tolerance approach to violence” and called for a review of youth justice sentencing.
“Recidivism levels demonstrate that what we are doing is not working,” she said.
“I regularly hear from community members who feel the consequences for violent offending are not aligning with community expectations.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has previously said all options were on the table to address rising youth crime concerns, including toughening bail and sentencing laws.
A government spokesperson said their position on crime taken to the last election remained the same.
“We are committed to being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime involving both youth and adults,” the spokesperson told Pulse.
“Our government will continue to focus our efforts on diverting young people from the youth justice system and stopping them offending in the first place.”
