By Jessica Micallef
The Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct will be inspected by a team led by Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass.
The inspection will focus on practices relating to solitary confinement of children and young people.
Ms Glass said the inspection, in March and April, “would gather first-hand observations, speak confidentially with children, young people and staff, have access to inspect all areas of a facility and review relevant records and documentation”.
It will be carried out in line with the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
“Preventive inspections carried out under the OPCAT model seek to identify risks that may lead to ill-treatment of detained people,” Ms Glass said.
“A thematic inspection across multiple facilities presents a unique opportunity to examine practices across different closed environments, allowing the investigation to identify both examples of good practice and areas for improvement.”
Ms Glass has established an advisory group comprised of representatives from leading “oversight bodies and civil society organisations” to assist with the inspection.
Members of the advisory group will provide staff and expertise to the inspection team, including experience in dealing with childhood trauma and mental health.
The Ombudsman is expected to table a report on the inspection to the Victorian Parliament before the end of the year.
