Teens detained in Victorian prison warned dogs, firearms could be used against them, court told.

By Emma Younger

Some of the teenagers detained inside Victoria’s maximum-security prison were warned violent behaviour would be met with the use of teargas, firearms and dogs, a court has heard.

About 20 teens are being kept at a temporary youth justice centre at Barwon Prison which was created after the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre was damaged during riots last month.

Lawyers representing seven of them are challenging the legality of their detention at the facility, arguing it cannot cater for their needs and that it is merely providing a roof over their heads but little else.

The Victorian Supreme Court trial has heard some teenagers were told that violent, dangerous or destructive behaviour unable to be managed by Department of Health and Human Services staff would be dealt with by specially trained guards from the adult prison.

Barrister Peter Morrissey SC said children were told the Security and Emergency Services Group (SESG) had the power under legislation to “respond as necessary with dogs, OC [capsicum] spray, teargas and firearms”.

The court heard the SESG had entered the unit twice since the teenagers had been transferred there and that a dog had accompanied them on one occasion.

Under a new agreement signed by Corrections Victoria, dogs are now banned.

SESG guards are only allowed to bring capsicum spray, batons and shields into the unit.

It is unclear if the guards had Working With Children checks but those applications are now underway.

Teens in 23-hour lockdown

The acting manager of Parkville’s Youth Justice Precinct, Matthew Belleville, helped decide which teenagers would be transferred to the centre at Barwon Prison.

He told the court that despite recommending who would be suitable for relocation, he had never visited the facility and assumed conditions would be similar to those at the Malmsbury and Parkville youth justice centres.

“The three [teenagers] that you transferred, did you know that they’d be sent to 23-hour lockdown?” Mr Morrissey asked.

“No,” Mr Belleville replied.

The trial heard teenagers in Barwon Prison are now allowed out of their cells for up to 11 hours a day.

Mr Belleville told the court he had not considered if Corrections staff at the entrance to the prison had Working With Children Checks

“I was busy, it certainly wasn’t a consideration at the time,” Mr Belleville said.

The trial before Justice Gregory Garde continues.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.