Go to jail and get a Big Mac

VIOLENT inmates in youth detention are being bribed to behave — with free trips to McDonald’s.
Offenders are also offered Coca-Cola, chocolate and credits if they agree not to attack staff or destroy property.
In one incident, a violent youth at Malmsbury Juvenile Justice Centre was offered trips to McDonald’s if he got out of bed on time and stopped destroying sporting equipment.
The State Government admitted yesterday many youths in the state’s detention units were offered trips out for good behaviour.
The admission comes as a new report reveals almost 40 per cent of young offenders paroled from Victorian jails and custody centres last year reoffended or breached parole conditions.
The McDonald’s revelations have provoked outrage amid growing concerns over the youth detention system and a spate of escapes.
Juvenile justice centres have become like resorts, according to the president of People Against Lenient Sentencing, Steve Medcraft.
The Malmsbury incident was revealed in a leaked internal document from the centre.
The reward was part of a behaviour management plan for a youth who had assaulted staff and smashed a table-tennis table into pieces.
The youth would get “ticks” for positive actions, such as getting out of bed by 9.30am, not verbally or physically assaulting staff or other inmates, not smashing up property or throwing food, and taking part in programs.
If he received three ticks in a day he would get a free can of Coke and if he picked up four he received a chocolate bar.
If the youth picked up 18 ticks over a week he would receive a free outing to McDonald’s. For 21 ticks in a week, he would be offered a television in his room.
Mr Medcraft said youths held at a detention centre at Parkville were also often taken to McDonald’s.
He said other luxuries enjoyed by inmates included swimming pools and video games.
“They’ve got basically all that they have at home, and sometimes they’re better off inside than out,”