Claims in parliament complaints had been received about Ashley worker

An Ashley Youth Detention Centre worker accused of raping a child also masturbated in front of detainees, while another child was sexually abused with a soft drink bottle, parliament heard. LATEST >>

• Alleged escape from Ashley prompts calls to close the facility down
• Detainees are being left with nothing to do after hours and on weekends

AN ASHLEY Youth Detention Centre worker accused of raping a child was not stood down for ten months after the allegation was made, parliament has been told.

The same worker masturbated in front of child detainees, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor claimed.

And Ms O’Connor also raised concerns about an incident in which a detainee was sexually abused by other youths with a soft drink bottle.

None of the incidents have been reported to police — despite the mandatory reporting requirements of the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act.

“Do you know how many further incidents of this nature there have been at Ashley?” Ms O’Connor asked Human Service Minister Roger Jaensch.

Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“How can you call Ashley Youth Detention Centre a safe place, as you have, and what has to occur there for you to step in and close down this house of horrors?”

Mr Jaensch said he would seek advice from his department about the incidents and whether they had been reported to police.

A police spokeswoman said none of the incidents had been reported.

“Tasmania Police has not received a formal complaint, however we actively seek to engage with potential victims to formalise complaints,” she said.

“Tasmania Police encourages any victim or witness of criminal activity to make a formal report to police who will assess the information and progress the matter appropriately.”

Mr Jaensch later said all allegations of abuse would be investigated.

“We are asking the department to identify for us the cases that were referred to make sure that if it’s new information that we add that to the information that we already have so that we can ensure that there is a thorough investigation made through the right processes,” he said.

The Ashley Youth Detention Centre at Deloraine. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Mr Jaensch could not explain why police said there were no formal reports of the incidents.

“I can’t account for what the police have told you but sometimes there is a difference between providing information and there being what the police would call a formal complaint,” he said.

“What I’m advised is that my department on matters involving Ashley staff have provided information to the police as a first step in their inquiries.”

The government has established Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state government institutions which is expected to begin soon.

March 6, 2021 12:00am: TASMANIA’S custodial inspector says the culture at Tasmania’s sole youth detention centre is improving, following the release of a damning report.

Custodial Inspector Richard Connock said his inspection of Ashley Youth Detention Centre in August 2019 took place amid considerable concerns about employee management.

“The Resources and Systems Inspection Report 2019 highlighted a number of pressing staff issues in relation to staff shortages, excessive overtime, recruitment process and a lack of employee support including the breach of a number of workplace standards and policy requirements,” he said.

Key findings of the report included:

POOR staff morale;

NO on-site oversight or recording of the currency of National Police Checks or Working with Vulnerable People registrations;

UNHEALTHY perception by staff of favouritism and nepotism at senior and management level and a lack of procedural fairness in recruitment;

RESIDENT case plans not being completed, posing significant risk not only for the wellbeing of the residents but the centre and the Department;

DEFICIENT paper-based record keeping.

However, Mr Connock said since his inspection, a new management team had been put in place with a notable improvement across centre standards.

“I am confident that the operating environment at AYDC is improving and that continued effort will be made in regard to enhance workforce management,” he said.

Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch said the report showed the situation at Ashley was improving.

“I congratulate the Department of Communities Tasmania and the staff and management of AYDC for the improvements they have achieved and the challenging and important work they do every day to provide a safe, therapeutic environment for the young people in their care,” Mr Jaensh said.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the report outlined numerous critical failures at the centre and she renewed a call for it to be shut down.

“(The report) makes it clear the workplace culture at AYCD is not beneficial to the health and wellbeing of staff or young detainees,” Ms O’Connor said.

“This is just what the Liberals were told by expert consultants who produced the Noetic Report. They recommended Ashley be closed and replaced with two smaller, therapeutic centres – north and south.

“The Liberals ignored the evidence and expert advice, and kept Ashley open to shore up their vote in Lyons in the lead up to the 2018 election. This is an ongoing tragedy of the Liberals’ making.”