The Greens clamour to close Ashley after accused rapist strip-searched detainee

A political party is demanding Ashley Youth Detention Centre be closed after revelations that a staff member accused of rape was allowed to strip-search a detainee.

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THE Greens have renewed calls to close the Ashley Youth Detention Centre after revelations a staff member accused of rape was allowed to strip-search a detainee.

Three staff members have been stood down from the centre after claims of child abuse.

In parliament on Thursday night, Human Services Minster Roger Jaensch corrected a statement he had made in Question Time the day before.

“I provided advice that I received from my department that the number of personal searches conducted at Ashley Youth Detention Centre during 2019-20 that involved a staff member who has been stood down was zero,” he said.

“The department has subsequently identified information and have now advised me that one of those staff members who had been stood down took part in one personal search during the year 2019-20 in the presence of other staff.”

“Personal searches” is the term some government ministers use for strip searches.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said Ashley was failing in its stated purpose.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“It’s very clear to us that Ashley as an environment for young people is not safe, that there is a culture of rough handling towards kids and evidence of a culture of cover up at Ashley,” she said.

“We’re talking about some of the most at-risk young Tasmanians and they’re kids who deserve to have a chance to have a good life and right now, Ashley is not providing that for them.

“We have a huge concern that there’s a Minister, Minister Jaensch who’s walking around in a state of delusion about what’s happening at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

“He’s pretending all of the problems that actually are historical. The evidence that we have is that they’re not.”

Budget estimates committee hearings were told there were 220 strip searches of young people at Ashley in 12 months.

The Ombudsman’s annual report also noted an incident of rough handling of a child at the centre last year.

“Although we did not make any findings about the use of force, it did not seem reasonable,

despite any gaps in procedures or training, to throw a 12 year old from a bench and

pull the complainant by their handcuffed arms whilst they were lying on their stomach

after being restrained [and] after the use of force incident, the young person was left handcuffed in their room for two hours without constant supervision.”

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