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About the Department

DIMIA Annual Report 2001-02

1.3.5 Detention

Objective

To provide lawful, appropriate and economic detention of unlawful non-citizens.

Description

To detain unlawful non-citizens as required under Commonwealth legislation.

Key results

  • in 2001-02 a total of 10,897 people were detained at some time during the year. The maximum number detained on any one day was 3,667.

    Accommodation, food, health including mental health and educational services and amenities were provided to all persons detained

  • focus on continuous improvement of the quality of facilities, programs and services at Immigration Reception and Processing Centres (IRPCs) and Immigration Detention Centres (IDCs)

  • implementation and evaluation of a trial of alternative detention arrangements for women and children in Woomera IRPC

  • further improvements to a pro-active approach to detention contract management and monitoring, including audits of specific issues

  • expansion of the department's panel of experts to assist in effective monitoring of the Detention Services Provider at both the operational and strategic levels

  • passage and implementation of legislative amendments to deter unauthorised arrivals and better manage non-compliant detainee behaviour

  • review of and changes to delegations under the Immigration Guardianship of Children Act to ensure that the Minister's guardianship responsibilities are met

  • finalisation of the MOU on child protection with South Australia's Department of Human Services on 6 December 2001 and an Exchange of Letters with the NSW Department of Education and Training on detainee access to local schools on 28 June 2002

  • progress made in negotiating other MOUs with the States/Territories on child welfare, policing, corrections and health services

  • continued support of the Immigration Detention Advisory Group (IDAG) in advice for the Minister

  • contribution to ensuring debate on detention policy and management is factual and objective through providing timely, high quality responses to Ministerial correspondence, Commonwealth Ombudsman and Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) inquiries

  • facilitation of and briefing for visit by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Personal Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

  • input to and facilitation of visits by the HREOC for its National Inquiry into Children in Detention

  • revision of the Immigration Detention Standards and comprehensive statement of requirements for service delivery in the context of Request for Tender process for a new detention services contract

  • development of a strategic asset management model for minor and major assets for inclusion in the new detention services tender process

  • completion of site audits and development of documentation on the condition of detention facilities for asset management purposes and inclusion in the new detention services tender documentation

  • Request for Tender for the provision of detention services issued in June 2002

  • preparation of advice to government on the long term strategy for immigration detention facilities for unauthorised boat arrivals

  • analysis of the unauthorised boat and detention caseloads to inform risk analysis, financial performance monitoring, process improvement and policy development

  • development of contingency facilities on Defence bases in Darwin (HMAS Coonawarra) and near Singleton NSW (Singleton Army Base)

  • construction of the Baxter Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (IRPC) on Defence land near Port Augusta, SA, with capacity for up to 1,200 people and providing higher levels of amenity and security

  • completion of significant works at Woomera IRPC including a new medical complex, an upgraded kitchen, installation of shaded playgrounds and multi-purpose shade structures, improved interviewing facilities, a new education and programs facility

  • refurbishment of Perth IDC to increase capacity from 42 to 64, including 22 beds and a separate exercise yard for women and children

  • upgrade of perimeter lighting, the installation of additional telephone lines and completion of a separation unit at the Villawood IDC

  • completion of design work and tendering for the refurbishment of J Block at Port Hedland as a separation unit

  • identification of preferred sites for an IRPC in Darwin and an IDC in Brisbane

  • development of a new approach to security for detention facilities using an Electronic Detection and Deterrence System

  • completion of a report on a model for the provision of health services infrastructure at detention facilities.

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