National call for action on Don Dale allegations of abuse

A NATIONAL legal service has called for immediate action into potential human rights abuses at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

Inside Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

A NATIONAL legal service has called for immediate action into potential human rights abuses at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services said yesterday that Corrections Minister John Elferink’s pledge to adopt some of the recommendations of the Children’s Commissioner’s report is not acceptable.

“This is simply not good enough. In any other part of Australia or the world, this lacklustre response would simply not be tolerated,” said chair Shane Duffy.

“The brutality exposed in this report is shocking. The community has lost confidence in the youth detention system. It is simply not working.”

The report showed youth inmates were tear-gassed during a riot without any attempt at a peaceful resolution, that illegal solitary confinement occurred, that hoods and handcuffs were used on children and that the conditions were classified by staff as “inhumane”.

A former inmate alleged last month that children were forced to fight for junk food and were made to eat bird faeces for the guards’ amusement.

NT Police said last month they have been conducting one criminal investigation into allegations of mistreatment since May.

Former head of the NT Bar Association John Lawrence reiterated his calls for Mr Elferink and Corrections chief executive Ken Middlebrook to be stood down over the incidents.

“This is complete chaos in the youth corrections system based on decisions made by the Corrections Minister and his chief executive,” he said. “It is astounding they are still in their positions.”