Kid strip search findings
STRIP searches on children aged 10 to 18 in custody should no longer occur on a “routine basis”, a report into the Ashley Youth Detention Centre has recommended.
The youth custody inspection report tabled in Parliament yesterday said detainees were strip searched on admission, after visits with family and friends, on returning from off-site locations such as court and if information suggested a search was warranted.
Custodial inspector Richard Connock said unclothed searches were conducted in a manner designed to “afford as much dignity as possible” by a single officer of the same sex but could be “humiliating and distressing”.
He recommended strip searches only be undertaken off the back of rigorous risk assessments to prevent contraband entering the facility, rather than routinely.
He also suggested “best practice processes” for conducting searches of young people be considered, including providing clear information such as illustrations about how the search will be performed.
The Justice Department failed to conceal information about the centre’s security after blacked out sections of the report remained readable.
One part recommended the installation of metal detectors and x-ray machines to “prevent contraband entering AYDC and to minimise the need for personal searches”.
Mr Connock said “there was very little real security in the centre and it appeared to operate mainly on trust”.
“There is no metal detector or screening device at the gatehouse to identify any potentially prohibited items being brought in,” he said.
“Staff are not subject to any type of searching or drug and alcohol testing. Visitors are not subject to searches either.”
The obscured section went on to say processes needed to be implemented to ensure all vehicles and people, including staff, entering and leaving the centre were searched.
Labor child safety spokesman Josh Willie said the report contained “serious and wideranging examples of flaws in the security at Ashley”.
Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch said the Government was investing $7.3 million towards a redesign and upgrade of Ashley, which would complement the move towards a therapeutic model of care.
A Right to Information document released by Justice this year revealed 218 minors were strip searched in adult prisons during 2018.