Teens in special unit at Barwon: union

A unit of Victoria's maximum security adult prison that will be used to temporarily house teenage offenders was originally built for 18- to-21-year-olds.

About 40 teen offenders are being sent to a special unit in Barwon Prison while repairs are carried out on the Parkville youth justice facility they trashed during multiple riots.

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service has filed a case in the Victorian Supreme Court challenging the legality of the decision to send youth offenders to an adult prison.

But Community and Public Sector Union secretary Karen Batt says the Grevillea Unit at Barwon Prison was originally purpose-built to house young offenders aged between 18 and 21.

She said it has a separate entrance and exercise yards, meaning the teens wouldn't have contact with the adult prisoners.

"It is a standalone footprint, inside the Barwon footprint but not in the adult jail," Ms Batt said.

"They will not be mixing with any adult prisoner."