Treatment of detainees

The Australian Jewish News - 17 July 2002

Dear Sir/Madam,

Many statements relating to Australia's immigration detention facilities in the article "What message do we send out?" (16 July) require correction.

Firstly the allegation you raise relating to access to toilet facilities is a variation of a similar allegation made over two years ago and found to be without substance. Toilet facilities are available to all detainees, meet Commonwealth Occupational Health and Safety requirements and are fully maintained on a regular basis, with most less than two years old.

Nobody is kept in "solitary confinement" at any Australian detention facility.

If it is determined that a detainee presents a danger to themselves or to others they may be separated for a short time - typically 48-72 hours maximum - and kept under close observation. Toilet facilities are available to all detainees placed in observation.

Any allegations of abuse or mistreatment of detainees, especially children, is taken very seriously by the Department. Where specific information is received investigations are undertaken by the appropriate authorities.

Detainees are normally referred to by their name, but at times a detainee's identity number is also used to ensure that, in circumstances where there are similar or unusual names, the correct person is identified.

In some detention facilities, children attend local schools. Television has provided images of children in detention at Woomera travelling to and from school.

In other centres appropriate education programs are provided by qualified staff. Although not compulsory, children are encouraged to participate in the educational programs available. Their participation is the decision of their parent or guardian.

The level and range of primary health care provided is broadly equivalent to the standard available to the wider Australian community. All detainees are offered a full range of health and psychological services, provided by fully qualified doctors, nurses and other health professionals, to all detainees in immigration detention.

Finally while it is regrettable that anyone has died in detention there have been no coronial findings that any of the deaths were as a result of suicide.

A telephone call to the Department would have confirmed these facts.

Jenny Hoskin
Deputy Director
Public Affairs
Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs