The statewide stop work action at juvenile centres is in response to the government’s “continued failure to adequately address staff and offender safety, resourcing and the management of high-risk offenders”, the union representing staff declared.

The Public Service Association’s (PSA) general secretary Stewart Little said juvenile justice workers are frustrated.

“Not a day goes by when there isn't some kind of violent incident across the state in these juvenile justice centres,” said Mr Little.

"PSA is calling for therapeutic centres, which offers the kids proper services like counselling and education to help them, and the reintroduction of high-risk offender units, to help minimise the risk of particularly violent detainees.

"Our members want to help these kids, they want to break the cycle. The last thing they want to see is them going up the road into Long Bay or Cessnock. But to stop that they need preventative measures in place.”

Staff will protest outside the Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre at the corner of Fernleigh and Glenfield roads from 1pm.

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