Bimberi review calls for urgent action on CCTV camera, throughcare program

The inaugural Healthy Centre Review, tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, made 27 recommendations.

ACT Inspector of Correctional Services Neil McAllister said the small number of young detainees at Bimberi presented unique challenges but also opportunities for the centre.

"While onsite at Bimberi, there was a young detainee being housed in an accommodation unit by themselves," Mr McAllister said.

"While we believe that this was being managed appropriately by Bimberi, there is no notified policy that sets out what safeguards are in place to minimise the negative effects separation from peers can have on a young detainee."

The inspector recommended a CCTV camera placed in a strip search room in the Coree Unit, which doubles as a shower and changing room, should be urgently removed as it restricted the detainees' right to privacy.

The review found the young detainees were not routinely strip searched.

It found some detainees felt they didn't have a voice and there should be a formal consultation mechanism.

"The internal complaints system at Bimberi lacks independence because of the involvement of Bimberi staff at all stages, and it does not adequately address the inherent risks of reprisals against young detainees for making a complaint," the report said.

The report calls for a systemic program of throughcare to be urgently created in line with recommendations made in the ACT Human Rights Commission's 2019 review.

"Throughcare is an important way to prepare young detainees to re-enter the community and if done properly, can reduce the likelihood of them returning to Bimberi," Mr McAllister said.

Bimberi lacks a comprehensive health promotion and education program and Justice Health Services staff need a private office space so that patient confidentiality is not compromised, the review said.

READ MORE:

The report noted that in 2019-20, Bimberi experienced a long period of operational lockdowns caused by staff shortages. This eased from April 2020 after recruitment, but the centre still regularly goes into lockdown in response to incidents.

It said Bimberi should record these centre-wide lockdowns and work on ways to avoid them and mitigate the impacts on detainees.

The review team found that detainees needed better access to their lawyer before and after audio-visual court appearances and that the practice of having a Bimberi staff member sit with them during court without the magistrate or judge knowing was inappropriate.

It found that there needed to be a better understanding of what information can and should be shared between the Education Directorate, Canberra Health Services and Community Services Directorate.

Youth Justice Minister Emma Davidson said the review was important to thoroughly understand the issues in the centre.

"It's fortunate to have an independent report released so early into this term to make sure we can work on the issues, support the needs of young people in Bimberi and truly improve outcomes," Ms Davidson said.

"Community Services Directorate will commence work quickly with a security expert to determine how best to manage this space."

The ACT government will have six months to formally respond to the report.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: