Media Release: Children Falling though Custodial and Political Gaps

Children Falling though Custodial and Political Gaps

Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb has called for an end to the practice of detaining children in adult prison watch-houses, following a recent Custodial Inspectorate report detailing how the practice breaches current mandated Child and Youth Safe Standards.

“The independent Custodial Inspector’s latest and alarming report into the use of adult prisons to hold children throws into sharp relief how seriously we are failing young Tasmanians,” Ms Webb said.

“This practice was frowned upon in our penal past, is unacceptable now, and must cease as soon as possible.

“It is clear the practice of placing children in adult prison watch-houses breaches a number of the mandated Child and Youth Safe Standards which came into force in January last year, according to this latest report released by the independent Custodial Inspector.

“Despite loud warnings, this report details multiple example of children detained in adult prisons, where there is evidence they have been subjected to threats of sexual abuse, were exposed to other violent behaviour, and subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment.

“How is it acceptable for young girls in custody to be searched by male officers?  This report details since December 2022 at least 21 cases where female children, some as young as 13 years old, were searched by males.

“It is also very disturbing to read of the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in prison watch-houses, particularly girls, which raises many serious questions of cultural safety which sadly appear to still be languishing in the too hard-basket.

“We must also heed the warnings contained in this report that many prison watch-house staff do not feel appropriately equipped to keep safe children in their care.  This is an untenable situation for those children and those staff.

“The Custodial Inspector’s report sends a clear message that the Liberals ‘adult time for adult crime’ mantra will only exacerbate these fundamental safety and human rights concerns for Tasmanian children.”

Ms Webb was also critical of the lack of focus on the inadequate resourcing provided to the Office of the Custodial Inspector.

“In my Budget reply speech this week I highlighted the unacceptable under-funding of the Custodial Inspector’s Office as one of the independent statutory oversight entities we rely upon to keep a check on the exercise of power over ordinary Tasmanians.

“We must act swiftly on this report’s 12 recommendations, and we must also ensure our independent oversight bodies are properly resourced to enable this vital work of reporting back to power continues unhindered no matter how uncomfortable that may made governments of the day,” Ms Webb said.

The Office of the Custodial Inspector Tasmania Children in Tasmania’s Prisons – Review Report 2025, can be found here.