Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson has announced a plan to allow courts to send young offenders to the former Dhurringile Prison for a new bootcamp program if the Coalition wins November's state election.
The program would include daily physical tasks such as farm work or cleaning.
The site closed in September 2024, but local environmental and Aboriginal organisations were negotiating a purchase before the election.
The Victorian opposition says it will send young offenders to a bootcamp program near Shepparton if elected in November
Under the Coalition plan, courts could send offenders aged between 14 and 17 to the program as an alternative to a community corrections order or other custodial sentence.
The former Dhurringile Prison near Murchison would serve as a base for the program, where those sentenced would undertake daily tasks including farm work, cleaning, maintenance, cooking and education.
Unlike existing youth justice custodial orders, young offenders sent to the bootcamp would be required to take part in the daily program.
Opposition leader Jess Wilson announced the new bootcamp program at the Coalition's campaign launch today and criticised Labor for having no plans for the facility.
"This is about instilling the discipline and respect that so many young offenders have not learned throughout their life, and crucially, giving them the skills they need to get on the right…
