The Custodial Inspector’s Annual Report is a concerning account of continuing human rights issues inside Tasmania’s prisons. Lockdowns are the worst in the nation, and growing prison numbers are causing serious overcrowding.
The rates of lockdowns in adult prisons increased last year, making Tasmania the worst in the nation for three years running. At the Risdon Prison medium security units, this resulted in prisoners spending only an average of 3 hours and 16 minutes out of their cells a day.
The Custodial Inspector also expressed concern at the high rates of isolation of children and young people, with lockdowns increasing as a result of the escape from Ashley Youth Detention Centre and subsequent stop-work actions.
People shouldn’t be kept in their cells for multiple days at a time, unable to go outside. It’s inhumane, and it has serious psychological and physical impacts for prisoners. It also prevents participation in rehabilitation programs and leads to cancellation of visits.
The Liberals’ failure to appropriately staff Tasmania’s correction facilities and the resulting lockdowns are an international human rights embarrassment.
Prison populations continued to rise, from a monthly average of 793 in June 2025 to 862 in June 2026. At the Launceston Reception prison, a doubling of population in the last two years has resulted in severe overcrowding, according to the Custodial Inspector.
There have been instances of people sleeping in the exercise yard due to the lack of beds. Prisoners have also been sleeping on mattresses in cells, which the Custodial Inspector describes as particularly concerning in the context of reports of rats emerging from toilets.
There was also a lack of appropriate bedding when people on dry cell placement were held in the Crisis Support Unit. While they’re not at risk of suicide or self-harm, they were treated as such, being given no pillow and a canvas blanket.
It’s just not good enough. At the very least, people should have an appropriate place to sleep. The Liberals can’t keep ignoring their duty to care for people in custody.
