The latest reports from the Office of the Custodial Inspector reveals concerning ongoing reliance on lockdowns stemming from chronic staff shortages in Tasmania’s prisons and youth detention centre.
The findings of the Custodial Inspector confirm what we have long known about the state of both youth and adult detention in Tasmania. Current practices are good for no one; not the detainees, not the staff, and not the community.
With a combined 142 recommendations, these reports paint a damning picture of the state’s correctional facilities: prohibited access to medication for detainees; overreliance on lockdowns to manage staff shortages; lack of access to adequate mental health support services for both detainees and staff; and inappropriate physical spaces for mental health treatment.
Lockdowns have a known negative impact on the mental and physical health of detainees. The government must take all necessary measures to minimise the occurrence of lockdowns, as well as ensuring detainees have access to essential services and support such as comprehensive mental health services. The current lack of adequate support exacerbates the distress of individuals already in vulnerable positions.
Detention centre staff face significant challenges, yet support services, such as counselling, are reported to lack an understanding of the unique stresses of working in such environments. The government must provide targeted support services that address the specific needs of detention centre staff.
Despite the Liberals talking about closing Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC) since 2019, concrete plans to do so have yet to materialise. This is despite the Commission of Inquiry recommending its closure as a matter of urgency. This shameful inaction is unacceptable and falls squarely on the government’s watch.
The Greens are calling for immediate action to address staff shortages to remove the need for lockdowns, and for better access to support the mental health of detainees and staff in the Tasmanian Prison Service. We will back any moves to close AYDC with appropriate facilities and plans in place to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
The government must act now to protect the health and well-being of prisoners, detainees and staff.
The time for delays and excuses is over.
