In places like Townsville and Logan City in the south-east of Queensland, unemployment, social problems mean the issue of youth crime is constantly in the headlines.

The state government’s responded with new laws to be introduced into Parliament this week aimed at what they said are the 10% of repeat
juvenile offenders.

They’ll usher in things like GPS track devices for 16 and 17-year-olds and reversing the presumption of bail for some offenders.

But Queensland’s Youth Justice Department last year said the number of young people charged with offences was down, 23% from the previous year and a small number were to blame for nearly half the youth crime.

The Drum spoke to some former offenders. You won’t see their faces. She also spoke to the mentors who helped them change their path.

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