Ms O’CONNOR question to MINISTER for CHILDREN and YOUTH, Ms PALMER
[2.49 p.m.]
With respect to the use of force at Ashley Youth Detention Centre: what is the Ashley Youth Detention Centre policy on the use of force? How many allegations of use of force have occurred since 1 July 2025? How many investigations have taken place into use of force since 1 July 2025? How many substantiated instances of use of force have occurred since 1 July 2025? How many uses of force instances have been reported to the Office of the Independent Regulator since 1 July 2025? How many use of force instances have been determined to be operationally necessary since 1 July 2025, and for what reason have they been determined necessary?
ANSWER
(1) The Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC) use of force policy outlines the obligations under section 132(b) of the Youth Justice Act 1997, which states that physical force may only be used where it is reasonable and necessary and only for one or more of the following purposes: to prevent a young person from harming themselves or others; ensure the safety and security of AYDC; place a young person in isolation; conduct a search; or prevent a young person from damaging property. Use of force is applied only when all other reasonable and practicable options have been exhausted and the safety and security of staff and young people at AYDC are at risk. Where use of force is applied, the policy states it must be used safely in accordance with current training and practice advice; involve the minimum amount of force for the minimum amount of time needed to safely manage the situation; and ensure the young person is constantly monitored.
(2) Between 1 July 2025 and 20 March 2026 there have been 30 reports of alleged use of force application.
(3) Between 1 July 2025 and 20 March 2026, a total of 30 investigations of alleged use of force have commenced. Of these, nine relate to historical allegations and 21 relate to contemporary matters. The historical allegations do not involve young people currently at AYDC.
(4) Between 1 July 2025 and 20 March 2026, no instances of use of force have been substantiated as reportable conduct. This does not include the matters that remain under investigation.
(5) Between 1 July 2025 and 20 March 2026, the Department for Education, Children and Young People issued 43 notifications to the Office of the Independent Regulator relating to allegations of use of force in accordance with the OIR Reportable Conduct Scheme; 13 of the notifications relate to historical matters arising before 1 July 2025.
(6) Of the 30 use of force matters investigated by the department between 1 July 2025 and 20 March 2026, nine matters have been finalised. Of these nine, seven cases were assessed as operationally necessary to prevent the young person from harming themselves or others.
