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Commonwealth Ombudsman Michael Manthorpe’s ‘serious concerns’ over detention compounds

Commonwealth Ombudsman Michael Manthorpe has raised ‘serious concerns’ about the compounds in which immigration detainees are being held.

Christmas Island Australian Immigration Detention Centre. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
Christmas Island Australian Immigration Detention Centre. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Commonwealth Ombudsman Michael Manthorpe has raised “serious concerns” about the high security compounds in which immigration detainees are being held, declaring there are “significant shortfalls” in the construction of accommodation.

Mr Manthorpe’s review into his office’s oversight of immigration detention centres also identified worrying effects of long-term detention on the mental health and physical wellbeing of detainees.

“We remain concerned that people continue to be held for lengthy periods with, in some instances, no probability of being released in the foreseeable future,” Mr Manthorpe said in a report released on Monday.

“Delays in resolving the immigration status of detainees place considerable strain both on detainees and their families.”

The report, which covers his office’s activities overseeing immigration detention between January to June 2019, is the first of its kind.

Over this period, Mr Manthorpe said his office sent 470 assessments regarding the circumstances of people in detention.

“In the 470 assessments, I made 171 recommendations including 103 recommendations related to arrangements for offshore transitory visa holders who were transferred to Australia from a regional processing country for medical treatment or to support a person receiving medical treatment,” he said.

“During the period, I also made 33 recommendations regarding the long-term detention of irregular maritime arrivals.

“While the high security compounds meet the international standards for adequate ventilation, natural light and space per person, we remain concerned about the significant shortfalls in the construction of the accommodation. Of particular note are the shortfalls in the facilities within the detainee accommodation and common areas.”

There were also 148 complaints about the operations of immigration detention facilities, with 72 referred back to the Australian Border Force to be resolved. Another 48 were resolved on site.

“The top five areas of complaint remain health services (24), conditions of detention (12), loss of or access to property (12), alleged assaults (10), placement in the network and facility (8),” Mr Manthorpe said.

The ombudsman said he was pleased the Department of Home Affairs had accepted all his recommendations in full or in part.

Read related topics:Immigration

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/commonwealth-ombudsman-michael-manthorpes-serious-concerns-over-detention-compounds/news-story/96db8794dfe25949f60464a184b1dd15