INSPECTIONS shedding light on the "extremely harmful" use of solitary confinement on children and young people have been welcomed by Victorian Legal Aid.
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The comments came as the Victorian ombudsman Deborah Glass confirmed inspections at facilities including in the Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct would take place in March and April.
The inspections would take place amid rising numbers of young people in detention, VLA’s executive director of criminal law Dan Nicholson said.
“At Victoria Legal Aid we sometimes see young people held in solitary confinement, locked-down and subject to other measures that restrict their movements, such as hand-cuffing, for extended periods,” he said.
“Some of these young people have pre-existing mental health conditions, disabilities or other traumas which make them more likely to be subject to restraint and isolation because proper support and treatment isn’t available in youth justice facilities and prisons.”
The practices could keep young people from education programs, exercise, access to parole and successful reintegration into the community, Mr Nicholson said.
Ms Glass said the multidisciplinary, multi-agency team’s work could help uncover pressure points in the system which, if left unchecked, could lead to riots.
They could also help reduce people’s reoffending, she said.
“It’s really important that we recognise that young people have unique needs which are different from adults,” Mr Nicholson said.
“They need justice responses that make rehabilitation the main focus, such as having access to education and other therapeutic programs.”
Ms Glass hoped to uncover both examples of good practices and areas where facilities could improve.
“The inspection team will gather first-hand observations; speak confidentially with children, young people and staff; have access to inspect all areas of a facility; and review relevant records and documentation," she said.
The team planned to inspect the Malmsbury precinct as well as Port Phillip Prison’s youth unit.
It also planned to inspect secure welfare services facilities for young people under child protection orders who are at substantial and immediate risk of harm.
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
