Conditions in Detention

The Age - 9 July 2002.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Many statements relating to detention conditions in the article Let's realise that they, too, are human beings (6 July) require correction.

The Australian Government endeavours to ensure that its management of detention is consistent with Australia's international treaty obligations through a comprehensive framework of legislative and administrative measures detailed contractual arrangements with the services provider and the Immigration Detention Standards.

Immigration detention is among the most closely scrutinised Government programs with regular visits from external bodies such as the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Migration, private members, and the Immigration Detention Advisory Group.

ACM is required under the contract to ensure that all detainees are present in the centre and that the safety and good order of the centre is maintained. Roll calls and searches for prohibited items are conducted but every effort is made to limit the extent to which these disrupt the detainees.

All centres provide an extensive range of services and facilities, educational, recreational and cultural programs. There are also computer, music, telephone and video facilities, libraries and rooms allocated for religious purposes. In addition there is a variety of sporting equipment including pool tables, exercise machines, bicycles and volleyball courts. There are reading rooms, a library, recreation rooms, an arts and crafts room, and a women's centre.

Cultural requirements for halal food, for example, are met at every detention facility in Australia. And menus are developed in consultation with dieticians as well as detainees. All food served at the centre complies with Government health regulations. Detainee volunteers also assist with food preparation.

The bedrooms, bathing and toilet facilities meet Commonwealth Occupational Health and Safety requirements and are fully maintained on a regular basis. For safety reasons, glass mirrors are not available to detainees, although reflective stainless steel surfaces are installed similar to those in public amenities in the Australian community.

Had Ms Fraser chosen to avail herself on the facts she could have found all of this information readily available on DIMIA's website <www.immi.gov.au>.

Stewart Foster
Director, Public Affairs