Greens spokesperson for Corrective Services Hon Alison Xamon MLC has today slammed the call by the Corrective Services Minister for Amnesty International to apologise over its concerns about Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
Ms Xamon said the lack of evidence available to the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) for its investigation – the result of poor record-keeping at Banksia Hill – reflected an appalling lack of transparency and accountability of the Government when dealing with our most vulnerable children and young people.
“The OICS report found that young people in Banksia Hill Detention Centre had been held in solitary confinement against international conventions,” Ms Xamon said.
“It also detailed continuing unacceptable education services, support and rehabilitative programs for young people in Banksia Hill.
“Frankly, the fact that this is the seventh time jin ust over six years that OICS has had to review Banksia Hill demonstrates how badly things have gone wrong at the centre.
Ms Xamon said the OICS report also found a disturbing lack of clarity around whether operations at Banksia Hill constituted lawful action or abuse.
She said she was now calling for an urgent review of the Young Offenders Act 1994 (WA) to ensure children and young people are provided with adequate protections.
“That the Minister has attacked Amnesty International instead of acknowledging the failings at Banksia Hill identified by OICS, clearly shows how misguided his priorities are.
“The Minister is really not in a position to be having a go at anyone.”
“Instead the Minister would be well served turning his attention to addressing the serious long term systemic problems that well and truly exist in the centre, starting with why children who have already been recommended for release aren’t being released because there are no accommodation or Alcohol and Other Drug services.”
