Qld youth reoffending 'will decrease'

There will be fewer teenage reoffenders when 17-year-olds are removed from adult prisons, says Youth Advocacy Centre chair Damien Atkinson .

The Brisbane barrister says the Queensland government's decision to legislate to remove 17-year-olds from adult jails within 12 months has been a long time coming, but an extremely welcome move.

"Look at the evidence coming out of universities, especially in America. If you put 17-year-olds in the youth sector, youth cohort, you'll reduce reoffending," Mr Atkinson told ABC radio.

He said placing 17-year-olds with other teenagers was the best "clinical option" to prevent juveniles reoffending.

"I understand people's anger, and we're not saying people who offend shouldn't be punished, but the test about any civilised community is how do we reduce reoffending," he said.