Safety and cost concerns have been raised about the reopening a troubled youth justice centre, two years after its closure.
The Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre will reopen to house young people held under the Victoria's bail law changes, Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan confirmed on Tuesday.
He defended plans to open 30 beds at the Malmsbury facility from early in 2026, insisting the decision to close the site in late 2023 was not a mistake.
"That was the right decision then and this is the right decision now," he told reporters at parliament on Tuesday.
"There was no need for the premises at the time for youth justice. But of course, times have changed."
The facility, located near Kyneton north of Melbourne, originally closed due to a decline in the number of young people in custody and the opening of new, purpose-built facilities.
Mr Erdogan said remand rates for young people were increasing by 46 per cent year-on-year, adding more prison beds for young people were needed.
An initial 30 beds will reopen at the facility for lower-risk young people aged 17 and over, the government said.
The reopening is expected to cost $141 million over five years, with an extra $4.8 million to be used on upgrading security.
Swinburne criminologist Dr Joel McGregor said the reopening of the controversial facility was concerning, adding that putting young people in custody is damaging.
He believes money should instead be invested in supporting community-based alternatives, as well as early diversion and intervention programs.
"It worries me quite a bit because what we're seeing in the reopening is a policy shift from better support for young people through community-based alternatives and early intervention and diversion programs to custody," he told AAP.
"There were some really serious incidents before it closed, and it's really alarming that they are reopening it, because there are significant trauma histories there for young people."
After closing in 2023, detainees were transferred to the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre in Parkville and a $420 million facility at Cherry Creek, which features a specialised primary health centre and two mental health units.
Operational since 1965, Malmsbury has been plagued with problems including inmate riots, staff shortages and escapes.
Just months before closing, one youth justice worker and several inmates were assaulted after a guard's keys were stolen.
The incident led to three youths being taken to hospital with upper body injuries, while a fourth was given first aid at the scene.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin was critical of the original decision to close Malmsbury, as the coalition's then-youth justice spokesman, and described the reboot as "very expensive".
"Again, we're seeing the Allan Labor government don't care because it's not their money," he said.
State Greens leader Ellen Sandell said it cost taxpayers $1 million a year to keep a young person in detention and called for more funding for crime prevention and youth programs.
Australian Associated Press
