A Victorian ombudsman report has concluded that a 16-year-old boy was subjected to extreme isolation in an adult prison, spending 22 hours a day in conditions described as "bordering on solitary confinement," which reportedly contributed to suicidal thoughts. The investigation found that the Department of Justice and Community Safety violated the teenager’s human rights during his transfer from a youth detention facility to a high-security adult prison. The report, presented in parliament, highlights systemic failures in how young offenders are managed within the justice system. Critics will question whether such practices reflect broader concerns about youth detention standards.
Ombudsman finds government breached teen’s human rights, saying the conditions ‘bordered on solitary confinement’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 16-year-old boy was held in conditions akin to solitary confinement in adult prison for 22 hours a day, leading him to have suicidal thoughts, a Victorian ombudsman report has revealed.The report, tabled in parliament on Thursday, found the Department of Justice and Community Safety breached the teen’s human rights when transferring him from the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct to the maximum-security Melbourne Assessment Prison in early 2025. Continue reading...
