Advocates concerned over use of isolation in Victoria’s youth justice system, despite drop in numbers

‘Isolating children as young as 10 in tiny prison cells for hours on end, with virtually no contact with other human beings, is cruel and harmful,’ says Monique Hurley from the Human Rights Law Centre. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

The amount of time young detainees spent in isolation within Victoria’s youth justice system has halved in the past year, although the use of the practice remains a concern to advocates.

Detainees in youth justice facilities were placed in isolation 5,412 times for security reasons between January and March – down from 10,330 recorded in the first three months of 2021. Covid-related placement in isolation occurred 1,816 times, and behavioural concerns resulted in 284 placements.