Cobham Youth Justice Centre
Below is official information.
The reality is very different as was shown in the NSW Inspector’s Report.
We ask people who have personal experience to fill in the online Questionnaire so we can publish reports on the iExpress website.
| Name of General Manager | Jayne Marchant – Centre Manager Kevin Prowse – Assistant Manager |
| Year of Establishment | 1980 |
| Postal Address | PO Box 539, St Marys NSW 1790 |
| Street Address | Cnr Great Western Highway and Water Street, St Marys NSW 2760 |
| How to Get There | By Public Transport: Take the Western Railway Line (T1) to Werrington Railway Station. The centre is a short walk or taxi ride from the station. By Car: The centre is located on the corner of Water Street and Great Western Highway, with the entrance on Water Street. Car parking is available on the premises. |
| Phone no. | (02) 9833 6555 – Visitor Approvals and Bookings |
| Population | |
| Capacity | 105, for males aged 15 years and over |
| Number of Staff | |
| Health Care Services | Nurse Unit Manager – Five days per week Clinical Nurse – Two nurses seven days a week (7am-9pm) Dual diagnosis specialist nurse – Five days per week Aboriginal Mental Health Nurse – Visits one day per week General Practitioner (GP) – Visits one day per week Psychiatrist – Visits one day per week Dentist – Visits one day per month The majority of young people are seen by medical staff within 24 hours of being admitted, with a more comprehensive assessment undertaken within seven days. |
| Education and Skill Development | The Department of Education operates a school at the centre to allow young offenders to continue their education while at the centre and learn skills to help them re-enter education, training or the workforce when they leave custody. The Putnam School delivers primary and secondary school curriculums and young people who are mandatory school age are required to attend school. Cobham also has a state-of-the-art trade centre to assist young people in custody to access on-site trade training. |
| Level of Security | |
| Availability of Activities | Religious Services: The centre has two chaplains who provide religious and pastoral care support to young people, and can organise for young people from non-Christian faiths to receive religious support and counselling. Other programs and activities include community and cultural programs, music, sport and weekend activities. Of all Youth Justice Centres across New South Wales, Cobham has the most comprehensive range of programs and activities provided. |
| Contact with Outside World | In-person Visits Visits from family, friends and supporters are encouraged, a young person can have up to five visitors at a time. Three to four Justice Officers monitor each visit for safety reasons. Visits are permitted for 45 minutes during the following times: Monday to Friday: 3:30pm to 5:30pm Saturday and Sunday: 10:30am to 12:30pm, 2:30pm to 5:30pm A special visit time, outside of the given times, may be arranged by contacting the centre caseworker or the Unit Manager on (02) 9833 6555. Those wishing to have more than five people at one time for a visit can contact the Duty Manager on (02) 9833 6555. Audio Visual Links (AVL) visits: Those unable to attend the centre to visit in person may arrange to speak to the young person via an Audio-Visual Link (AVL). |
| Time Out of Cell | |
| Additional Remarks |
