Preventive detention monitoring is effective: A case study on isolation of children and young people in the Australian Capital Territory

Abstract

This article addresses the role of detention monitoring in preventing ill-treatment of detained children and young people, focusing on the use of isolation. It discusses learnings from the Australian Capital Territory’s Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) pilot National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) visit to the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in 2023. This visit was in accordance with OICS’ designation as an NPM (domestic torture prevention body) under the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It outlines preparatory steps taken to facilitate an effective, partially announced visit, its successful strategy of escalating urgent matters, and the ongoing challenges and positive outcomes secured by the ACT NPM to facilitate future preventive monitoring.