Dear Premier Miles, Minister Farmer, Minister Fentiman, Minister Mullen, Minister Ryan, Minister Scanlon, and Minister McCallum.

We, the undersigned, call for an immediate and comprehensive overhaul of the approach to youth crime. It is imperative that we address the root causes of youth involvement in criminal activities and implement effective strategies to prevent recidivism, rehabilitate offenders, and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.

The current system often fails to adequately address the complex needs of young individuals who find themselves entangled in criminal behavior. Too often, punitive measures are prioritized over prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation efforts. This perpetuates a cycle of crime, harming both the individuals involved and the communities they reside in.

Recent initiatives, such as Queensland's deployment of specialist police units to regional crime hotspots under Operation Whisky Legion, underscore the urgency of addressing high-risk offending. While these measures are steps in the right direction, they are not enough to address the underlying issues driving youth crime.

Therefore, we urge policymakers, lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders to recognize that reactive measures alone cannot solve the problem of youth crime. We must also prioritize proactive strategies that address the systemic factors contributing to criminal behavior among young individuals, focusing on the following key areas:

Prevention Programs: Allocate resources towards evidence-based prevention programs that address the underlying factors contributing to youth involvement in crime, such as poverty, lack of educational opportunities, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Early Intervention: Implement early intervention strategies to identify at-risk youth and provide them with the necessary support and resources to steer them away from criminal activities before they escalate.

Rehabilitation and Support Services: Prioritize rehabilitation and provide comprehensive support services, including access to education, vocational training, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatment, to help youth offenders reintegrate into society as productive members.

Mental Health Funding: Increase funding for mental health services specifically tailored to youth involved in or at risk of involvement in criminal activities, ensuring that adequate support and resources are available to address underlying mental health issues.

Link Mental Health Support to Punishment: Integrate mental health support and interventions into the punishment process for youth offenders, ensuring that their mental health needs are addressed alongside any punitive measures imposed by the justice system.

Restorative Justice: Promote restorative justice practices that prioritize accountability, healing, and reconciliation between offenders, victims, and the community, emphasizing the importance of repairing harm caused by criminal behavior.

Harsher Sentencing: Advocate for harsher sentencing for serious and violent youth offenders, while ensuring that sentences are proportionate, fair, and guided by principles of justice and rehabilitation.

Diversion Programs: Expand the availability of diversion programs that offer alternatives to traditional court proceedings for non-violent youth offenders, emphasizing community-based solutions over incarceration where appropriate (first time offenders).

Parent Programs: Establish and fund programs aimed at supporting parents and guardians in their roles, providing resources, education, and guidance to help them foster positive environments and prevent youth involvement in criminal activities.

Addressing Systemic Inequities: Address systemic inequities within the criminal justice system that disproportionately affect marginalized and minority youth, ensuring fair and equal treatment under the law.

Collaborative Efforts: Foster collaboration among government agencies, community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to develop holistic approaches to youth crime prevention and intervention.

We cannot afford to continue neglecting the needs of our youth or perpetuating cycles of crime and incarceration. It is time for bold and comprehensive action to overhaul our approach to youth crime and prioritize the well-being and future prospects of our young people and communities.

We, the undersigned, urge immediate action from policymakers and authorities to enact meaningful reforms that address the root causes of youth crime and promote positive outcomes for all involved parties.