Australia’s human rights commissioners have called for urgent action in response to a Four Corners investigation that showed children being forcibly restrained at Perth’s Banksia Hill detention centre. The commissioners warned that the lives of young people are being placed at serious risk and that current approaches to youth justice are failing.
The ABC programme aired images of incarcerated children subjected to four-point restraints and highlighted concerns over prolonged lockdowns, solitary confinement, and incidents of self-harm and suicide attempts. Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus described the footage as “deeply disturbing” but “all too familiar”.
In a joint statement, the Australian Human Rights Commission said children’s rights were being routinely violated. Commissioners June Oscar, Anne Hollonds, Chin Tan, and Lorraine Finlay pointed to examples of serious abuse, systemic failures, institutional racism, and neglect. They argued that tougher sentencing and bail laws, punitive conditions, and building more prisons for children as young as ten is not working.
Figures from the WA corrections minister’s office showed that 46 complaints of excessive force against youth detention staff at Banksia Hill were investigated in the 12 months to September 2022, with ten staff under investigation. The Department of Justice has been asked whether sustained complaints will lead to further action. WA’s corrective services minister said the use of restraints was a “last resort” and that staff are trained to ensure safety.
Western Australia’s prisons inspector, Eamon Ryan, described Banksia Hill as a failure and expressed concern that the situation could lead to a tragic outcome. He is set to meet with the premier and other officials to discuss the crisis. Meanwhile, a class action is being prepared on behalf of hundreds of former and current detainees. Doreen Carroll of the Strong Grandmothers group said the continued mistreatment of children is “sickening”.
