Children’s Commissioner report revealed Don Dale abuse

Eleven months before damning footage of children being tear-gassed in solitary confinement aired on national television, the NT Government signed off on a Children’s Commissioner report revealing the extent of this abuse

A boy strapped to a mechanical chair in the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre. PICTURE: (AAP Image/Four Corners) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Eleven months before damning footage of children being tear-gassed in solitary confinement aired on national television, the NT Government signed off on a Children’s Commissioner report revealing the extent of this abuse.

The investigation, carried out by Commissioner Colleen Gwynne, stated on at least 13 occasions that “handicam footage” existed of the night tear gas was pumped towards the cells of six teenagers in 2014.

It also made references to the controversial use of “spit hoods” on the children.

Despite the 60-page report, which not only revealed the existence of the footage but a litany of failings, fabrications and breaches of the NT Youth Justice Act, Chief Minister Adam Giles said he did not see the vision until it aired on Monday night’s Four Corners program. Dumped Corrections Minister John Elferink claimed he didn’t see the vision until only days before he was interviewed by Four Corners.

The Don Dale Youth Detention Centre Report to Minister was dated August 2015 — one year after the so-called “riot” at the former correctional facility.

In the first few pages, Ms Gwynne states that handicam footage, shown on Four Corners, recording the following conversation between youth justice officers (YJO) in the store room:

“No, let the f***er come through because when he comes through he will be off balance, I’ll pulverize, I’ll pulverize the little f****r. Oh shit, we’re recording hey” (laughs).

The investigation also details handicam footage capturing conversation between staff in the lead-up to tear gas being dispensed, culminating in one of the officers saying “go, go grab the f*kn gas and f*kn gas them through f*kn ...”.

The findings state that there had been no “meaningful attempt by staff to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the incident” which had culminated after prolonged and unlawful stays in isolation units.

It also detailed the use of a spit masks on the evening, with Ms Gwynne stating the masks had “the potential to be inhumane and cause harm to young persons.” The investigation found conditions in the BMU in August 2014 were “well below acceptable standards” with “no access to natural light and drinking water.” In a statement, Ms Gwynne said she was disappointed many of the recommendations from the near year-old report had yet to be implemented.