SA Training Centre Visitor Annual Report (2024)
What was at stake
Conditions at Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre
What happened
Children detained at Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre in South Australia were found to be subjected to ongoing practices of isolation, strip searching, and mechanical restraints. The report highlighted a severe disproportionality, noting that 73% of the detained children were Aboriginal, despite Aboriginal people comprising only 4% of the South Australian population.
What the court decided
Found ongoing use of isolation, strip searching, and mechanical restraints on children. 73% of detained children are Aboriginal despite being 4% of SA population. Recommended trauma-informed alternatives.
How the court got there
The Training Centre Visitor's findings and recommendations were based on observations indicating that current practices at Kurlana Tapa were detrimental to the well-being and rights of detained children. The report implicitly reasoned that these methods were inconsistent with child protection principles and best practices for youth justice, necessitating a move towards trauma-informed alternatives to promote the rehabilitation and development of children in detention.
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