Ashley Youth Detention standoff: worker stood down after clash with detainees
8 years, 7 months ago

Ashley Youth Detention standoff: worker stood down after clash with detainees

ABC  

The Tasmanian Government has confirmed that one Ashley Youth Detention Centre worker was temporarily stood down after clashing with inmates last month. The incident, involving young offenders allegedly using makeshift glass weapons, has now been referred to the Commissioner for Police and the Department is also preparing an urgent report. Premier Will Hodgman said workers had also made complaints to police and one had been told not to return to work while the investigation continued. "Yes, it is of concern; yes, I share the concerns of the Minister; yes, I share the concerns of the Department of Health and Human Services who brought this matter to the Minister; and I share the concerns of all those involved in circumstances such as these," he said.

 youth  standoff  share  minister  services  human  concerns  yes  stood  detention  worker  incidents  detainees  told  department  ashley  hodgman  clash

History of this topic

Judge set to rule on settlement for former Ashley Youth Detention Centre detainees
4 months ago

Judge set to rule on settlement for former Ashley Youth Detention Centre detainees

ABC  

A Tasmanian Supreme Court judge is set to rule on whether a $75 million compensation payment for 129 former detainees of the state's only youth prison be approved. In Tasmania's first class action, it was alleged the former inmates had suffered, witnessed or were threatened with sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, and false imprisonment while at the Ashley Youth Detention …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre replacement facilities shelved for community-service approach by Tasmanian government
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre replacement facilities shelved for community-service approach by Tasmanian government

ABC  

The Tasmanian government appears to have shelved four out of the five facilities it was going to build to replace the state's troubled youth detention centre. Labelled a "gladiator pit" and a "prison for kids" the horrors of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre spilled into the spotlight during the state's Commission of Inquiry into Government Responses to Child Sexual Abuse …

Tasmanian Liberals election promise to 'crack down' on young offenders questioned in wake of Ashley findings
1 year ago

Tasmanian Liberals election promise to 'crack down' on young offenders questioned in wake of Ashley findings

ABC  

In short: As part of their election campaign ahead of the March 23 election, the Tasmanian Liberals say they will recruit more police, toughen penalties for hooning, road rage and theft and "deploy a strike force" to target serial criminals. Labor says the plan "misunderstands the reason we're seeing crime occur", while Tasmania's children's commissioner says "we cannot arrest our …

Child inmates at risk of abuse in Ashley detention centre, Tasmanian inquiry warns, but Pontville option years off
1 year, 6 months ago

Child inmates at risk of abuse in Ashley detention centre, Tasmanian inquiry warns, but Pontville option years off

ABC  

Quick read In short: The sexual abuse of children at Ashley Youth Detention Centre, Tasmania's only custodial facility for youth inmates, "remains a live and current risk" and not a thing of the past, a commission of inquiry has found. Premier Jeremy Rockliff says "if there was any capacity to close it now, we would" — but the lack of …

Inside Tasmania's youth detention centre, repeat offenders are writing songs about change
1 year, 6 months ago

Inside Tasmania's youth detention centre, repeat offenders are writing songs about change

ABC  

Children awaiting sentencing can spend up to 23 hours a day locked in a cell inside Tasmania's only youth detention centre, the children's commissioner says. Head of the inquiry, Marcia Neave, says it was the commission's view that the Ashley Youth Detention Centre should be closed as a "matter of urgency". "There is no child in detention at Ashley Youth …

Inside Tasmania's troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre, where kids say they get no help
2 years, 3 months ago

Inside Tasmania's troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre, where kids say they get no help

ABC  

A "gladiator pit", a "war zone", a "kindergarten for the adult prison" — these are just some of the ways Tasmania's only youth detention centre has been described. "I was angry … I think my son's at Ashley, that he's safe where he is, but he's actually got heart issues and no one from that centre has let me know." …

Dangerous 'folding up' restraint to be banned in West Australian youth detention this month
2 years, 3 months ago

Dangerous 'folding up' restraint to be banned in West Australian youth detention this month

ABC  

The potentially-deadly "folding up" practice used on children by youth detention officers in Western Australia will be banned within weeks and replaced with an alternative method. Both the premier and Mr Johnston admitted to being previously "unaware" of the restraint's use in Western Australia, despite it being outlawed in Queensland five years earlier due to the risk of suffocation and …

Nine ministers had oversight of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, but all of them were absent from the abuse inquiry
2 years, 6 months ago

Nine ministers had oversight of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, but all of them were absent from the abuse inquiry

ABC  

Australians have heard shocking and harrowing evidence over recent weeks about young people being mistreated while incarcerated at Tasmania's only juvenile detention centre. Photo shows A graphic showing a medical worker with blackened face looking at a folder in front of a sign reading: LGH Emergency After horrific tales of invasive strip searches, beatings and gang rapes, Tasmania's Commission of …

Female detainee tells of Ashley prison abuse and 'favouritism' of some male inmates by staff
2 years, 7 months ago

Female detainee tells of Ashley prison abuse and 'favouritism' of some male inmates by staff

ABC  

Abused, miserable and locked up, Charlotte* turned to self-harm — but when she was caught by a youth worker, the response was far from kind. Key points: Abuse at Ashley has been the focus of recent hearings by the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings Charlotte spent time at Tasmania's custodial …

The Ashley Youth Detention Centre is set for closure, so here's how the government will replace it
2 years, 7 months ago

The Ashley Youth Detention Centre is set for closure, so here's how the government will replace it

ABC  

Tasmania's Commission of Inquiry has heard shocking and horrific evidence about a culture of violence and sexual abuse at the state's only youth detention facility, with one expert saying he would "raze Ashley to the ground" if he could. Counsel assisting the commission Rachel Ellyard warned the evidence presented about the Ashley Youth Detention Centre would be "confronting and distressing" …

Former Ashley Youth Detention Centre detainees lodge class action over alleged abuse
2 years, 7 months ago

Former Ashley Youth Detention Centre detainees lodge class action over alleged abuse

ABC  

More than 100 former detainees of Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre have lodged a class action in Tasmania's Supreme Court, alleging they were whipped, kicked, bullied, encouraged to join gangs, sexually abused and stripped naked. Key points: The court documents detail the claims of the four men dating back to the early 1990s One man alleged that he found the …

Four former Ashley Youth Detention Centre residents sue Tasmanian government over alleged abuse
2 years, 8 months ago

Four former Ashley Youth Detention Centre residents sue Tasmanian government over alleged abuse

ABC  

Another four former residents of Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north are taking legal action against the Tasmanian government over allegations they were sexually and physically abused by guards while in the care of the facility. Key points: Court documents show one child who was a detainee at the facility in 1996 was allegedly pinned down in his room …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre ends lockdown that kept detainees in rooms amid staff shortage
2 years, 8 months ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre ends lockdown that kept detainees in rooms amid staff shortage

ABC  

A two-week lockdown that forced Tasmanian youth detainees to be shut in their rooms for up to 23 hours a day has ended. Key points: On some days during the two-week lockdown, there were five youth workers to take care of the juvenile offenders The 12 detainees were only let out of their rooms on a 40-minute rotational basis The …

Tasmania set to be first jurisdiction to raise minimum age of children in youth detention
2 years, 9 months ago

Tasmania set to be first jurisdiction to raise minimum age of children in youth detention

ABC  

At about 11 years old, Alexander* found himself in Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Key points: Advocates hope raising the age of detention is also a step towards raising the age of criminal responsibility The change will come into force in 2024 A former youth detainee has called for more diversionary programs to help keep young people out of the …

As Ashley Youth Detention Centre closes, Tasmania looking at new programs for at-risk youth
3 years, 5 months ago

As Ashley Youth Detention Centre closes, Tasmania looking at new programs for at-risk youth

ABC  

At a rural property in south-east Tasmania, boys have been put through their paces in what's believed to be an Australian first. Key points: Tasmania will shut the Ashley Youth Detention Centre over the next three years and replace it with a therapeutic model of care JCP Youth director Will Smith says he has had success with a camp for …

Why wasn't the Ashley Youth Detention Centre closed earlier?
3 years, 6 months ago

Why wasn't the Ashley Youth Detention Centre closed earlier?

ABC  

It's been easy for Tasmanian governments to avoid listening to the voices of children locked up in the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. More than 120 people have joined a class action against the Tasmanian government, claiming they were abused while in the care of the state at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. "What kept Ashley Youth Detention Centre open after …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north to close down and be replaced by two new facilities
3 years, 6 months ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north to close down and be replaced by two new facilities

ABC  

Tasmania's troubled youth detention centre will be closed and replaced with a therapeutic model of care, in a significant change of direction announced by the state government. Key points: Two separate facilities across the state will replace the Ashley Youth Detention Centre over the next three years The centre has been the subject of sexual abuse claims and is the …

Female Ashley detention worker alleges bullying and sexual harassment
3 years, 11 months ago

Female Ashley detention worker alleges bullying and sexual harassment

ABC  

Female employees of Tasmania's troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre say they were subject to sexist, bullying behaviour by other staff while working at the facility. Key points: One woman alleges she was "subjected to severe bullying" by some staff The worker ultimately went on stress leave Another woman alleges she left her job following severe bullying One woman was brought …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre staffer accused of rape was not stood down for 10 months, Tasmanian Parliament hears
4 years ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre staffer accused of rape was not stood down for 10 months, Tasmanian Parliament hears

ABC  

Management at Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre knew a staff member had been accused of a rape for 10 months before standing them down, according to a claim made in Tasmania's Parliament. Greens leader Cassy O'Connor told Parliament management became aware of a potential incident involving a staff member and a teenager at the facility in January 2020. "How can …

Report details multiple failings at Ashley Youth Detention Centre
4 years ago

Report details multiple failings at Ashley Youth Detention Centre

ABC  

Tasmania's Custodial Inspector has laid bare a series of extraordinary deficiencies at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, in a report covering 2019 that was tabled in state parliament on Thursday. Key points: A report by Tasmania's Custodial Inspector has revealed multiple failings at Ashley Youth Detention Centre Staff shortages were of dire concern and have prevented suicide and self-harm checks …

Tasmanian Government has paid $3.68m in workers compensation to youth detention centre staff since 2015
4 years, 3 months ago

Tasmanian Government has paid $3.68m in workers compensation to youth detention centre staff since 2015

ABC  

The Tasmanian Government has forked out millions of dollars in workers compensation to staff members at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in the past five years, documents obtained through a Right to Information request show. Key points: The youth detention centre has come under increased scrutiny due to claims of understaffing and alleged abuse by workers The total cost of …

Former premier labels Ashley a 'mini Risdon Prison', urges its closure
4 years, 3 months ago

Former premier labels Ashley a 'mini Risdon Prison', urges its closure

ABC  

A former Tasmanian Labor premier has described how she "felt sick" walking into Ashley Youth Detention Centre when responsible for the facility, and is joining calls for the Liberal State Government to close it down. Key points: A former premier who was also responsible for Ashley Youth Detention Centre says the facility was putting children on the "pathway to Risdon" …

Staffer accused of Ashley Youth Detention Centre abuse promoted
4 years, 3 months ago

Staffer accused of Ashley Youth Detention Centre abuse promoted

ABC  

An employee of Tasmania's only youth detention centre was promoted after allegations of serious misconduct were made against them, the ABC can reveal. Key points: Greens leader Cassy O'Connor told Parliament she's had numerous complaints from the public disputing Government claims Ashley is safe for children She wants confirmation whether a staff member stood down after rape allegations had recently …

Youth detention centre worker stood down following rape allegations, Parliament told
4 years, 4 months ago

Youth detention centre worker stood down following rape allegations, Parliament told

ABC  

A worker accused of rape is among three staff stood down from Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north pending investigation into "hundreds" of serious allegations, the state's Parliament has heard. Key points: The Greens revealed the allegations in State Parliament during Question Time Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch has confirmed three staff members have been stood down over historic …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre stand-off prompts concerns for staff, young offenders
5 years, 3 months ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre stand-off prompts concerns for staff, young offenders

ABC  

Staff and three inmates at Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre have been involved in a stand-off lasting more than three hours. Mr Moore said the three offenders had been "placed in a unit" but would not say whether they were in isolation. The recent custodial inspector's report found there was "very little real security" in the detention centre that "appeared …

Redactions fail reveals serious deficiencies in Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre
5 years, 5 months ago

Redactions fail reveals serious deficiencies in Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre

ABC  

The Tasmanian Government has accidentally released details of a damning report revealing serious security deficiencies and issues surrounding the use of force at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Key points: Ashley Youth Detention Centre "houses juvenile offenders of both sexes aged 10-18 years", the government says The 50-bed facility was established at its current location in 1922 and is Tasmania's …

Ashley youth prison: calls to close centre where staff outnumber inmates by more than 7 to 1
8 years, 4 months ago

Ashley youth prison: calls to close centre where staff outnumber inmates by more than 7 to 1

ABC  

A multi-million-dollar Tasmanian youth jail had 61 staff to watch over eight inmates in September this year, the ABC can reveal. The Ashley Youth Detention Centre, in Deloraine, about 45 kilometres from Launceston, houses "juvenile offenders of both sexes aged 10–18 years", the State Government said. "There's a compelling case to close Ashley, and the evidence grows every single day," …

Staff at Ashley detention facility claim to be undermined by management, union says
8 years, 6 months ago

Staff at Ashley detention facility claim to be undermined by management, union says

ABC  

Staff at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre have told investigators they feel undermined by management and unable to respond appropriately to incidents, a union representative says. "We're hearing from our members that they feel often undermined by management and unable to act appropriately at the time to make sure there's a safe workplace." Four separate inquiries underway The State Government …

Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention report flags 'worrying staff behaviours'
8 years, 6 months ago

Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention report flags 'worrying staff behaviours'

ABC  

A report into Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre has been critical of staff practices at the facility. The report also found the centre's environment had the potential to lead to clashes between the youth detainees and staff: "The residential experience for young people in their living units left a lot to be desired. "Extreme boredom was expressed by many of …

Ashley Youth Detention Centre staff member's use of restraint prompts series of investigations
8 years, 7 months ago

Ashley Youth Detention Centre staff member's use of restraint prompts series of investigations

ABC  

The conduct of an Ashley Youth Detention Centre employee in restraining a young person during an incident was "of such gravity" there will be a formal state service investigation when a Tasmanian police probe finishes. Key points: Police investigating potential for criminal charges against a centre staff member A formal state service investigation will then examine if incorrect restraint was …

Ashley youth detention: Children's Commissioner wants independent monitoring of Tasmanian centre
8 years, 7 months ago

Ashley youth detention: Children's Commissioner wants independent monitoring of Tasmanian centre

ABC  

Tasmania's Children's Commissioner believes a review of staff conduct at the state's only youth detention centre makes the case for independent monitoring. It is understood a group of teenage boys smashed windows and threatened staff at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre at Deloraine in the state's north. "I've been a long-time advocate for independent monitoring of youth justice detention centres …

Tasmanian youth detention centre staff injured in standoffs
8 years, 8 months ago

Tasmanian youth detention centre staff injured in standoffs

ABC  

Shards of glass were brandished and detention officers were injured in two recent standoffs at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north-west. It is understood a group of teenage boys in the detention centre started smashing windows and threatened staff with shards of broken glass last Thursday. No glass injuries to staff: health department Department Health and Human Services …

Discover Related