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Abuse at Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre – Compensation Claims NSW
Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre in Kariong, New South Wales, has become synonymous with serious allegations of systemic abuse, neglect and institutional failure. Former detainees have reported physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological harm and forced labour spanning decades.
If you or a loved one suffered abuse at Mount Penang, you may be entitled to institutional abuse compensation in NSW.
Overview of Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre
Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre was established by the New South Wales Government in 1946, replacing the Gosford Training School. The facility operated as a government-run detention centre for boys under 18, most commonly aged between 14 and 16.
It was managed by the NSW Child Welfare Department and later juvenile justice agencies, housing young people:
- Convicted of criminal offences
- Considered “difficult to manage” in other institutions
- Placed into detention by court order
Over time, Mount Penang became one of the most notorious state-run youth detention centres in NSW.
History of Abuse at Mount Penang Abuse
- Ombudsman Inquiry (1991)
In 1991, the NSW Ombudsman investigated complaints following a letter from a detainee detailing extreme violence and abuse, including:
- Threats of gang rape
- Severe physical assaults (including use of weapons)
- Burning with cigarettes
- Near drowning incidents
- Assaults occurring in the presence of staff
The inquiry found that authorities failed to ensure staff acted lawfully or protected detainees from harm.
- Findings of Sexual Misconduct (1998 Inquiry)
A second major inquiry in 1998 uncovered sexual misconduct by staff, along with:
- Systemic failure by management to intervene
- Lack of accountability within the institution
- Failure to protect vulnerable children
These findings reinforced concerns that Mount Penang was unsafe and poorly governed.
- Forced Labour and Harsh Conditions
Former residents have described being subjected to forced labour and degrading conditions, including:
- Long hours of physically demanding work
- Digging and agricultural labour without adequate tools
- Collapse from heat exhaustion without care
- Limited access to water and basic necessities
These accounts demonstrate a broader pattern of institutional neglect and exploitation.
- Evidence to the Royal Commission
During the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, survivors gave evidence of:
- Violent assaults by officers
- Sexual abuse by staff
- Constant fear and intimidation
One survivor described Mount Penang as:
“More like a jail than a home… the boys called it ‘the Pound’.”
- Criminal Charges Against Senior Staff
In 2020, former superintendent Laurie Maher was charged with multiple child sexual offences relating to abuse between 1977 and 1988 involving several former detainees.
These allegations highlight the serious systemic failures at the highest levels of management.
Closure of Mount Penang
Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre closed in 1999, with its functions transferred to:
- Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre
- Later, Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre
However, for many survivors, the impact of abuse has continued long after closure.
Mount Penang Abuse claims
If you were abused at Mount Penang, you may be eligible to bring a civil compensation claim, even if the abuse occurred decades ago.
You may be able to seek compensation for:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical assaults
- Neglect by staff or the State
Importantly, time limits do not apply in the same way for child sexual abuse claims and serious physical abuse claims in NSW, allowing survivors to come forward years later.
Why Choose Stacks Goudkamp for Mount Penang Abuse Claims?
Stacks Goudkamp are experienced institutional abuse lawyers in NSW, acting for survivors of abuse in:
- Juvenile detention centres, ie. Mount Penang abuse claims
- Schools and boarding institutions
- Religious organisations
- Government-run facilities
We understand these matters require sensitivity, confidentiality and strength.
Confidential Advice – Speak with an Experienced Abuse Lawyer
If you experienced abuse at Mount Penang Juvenile Justice Centre, you are not alone, and support is available.
Stacks Goudkamp offers confidential, compassionate and obligation‑free legal advice to survivors of institutional abuse. Our experienced team can guide you through your options and help you pursue appropriate compensation.
- Free initial consultation
- Strictly confidential advice
- No obligation to proceed
Contact Stacks Goudkamp today to discuss your circumstances in a safe and supportive environment.
