A two-week lockdown that forced Tasmanian youth detainees to be shut in their rooms for up to 23 hours a day has ended.
The lockdown at the troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre in the state's north was triggered by staffing shortages and meant detainees were locked in their rooms and only let out on a rotational 40-minute basis.
At many times during the lockdown, there were only five youth workers rostered on to take care of 12 juvenile offenders in the centre.
The controversial centre is set to be closed in the next three years and replaced by two smaller youth facilities based on a therapeutic model.
Lucas Digney from the Health and Community Services Union said staffing levels had now increased.
"That was some positive news," he said.
"Albeit that the staffing numbers are still going to have some significant pressure on them, particularly in the short to medium term."
The Health and Community Services Union said there was a range of reasons why staff were not available, including a number currently suspended facing investigation and some away due to workplace injury.
Some staff have now returned to work while others have been redeployed from other areas temporarily.
"A number of staff became available after some periods of illness so that took some pressure off," Mr Digney said.
Five new staff begin four-week training program
The union said there was no guarantee the centre would avoid a lockdown in the future.
"Until we get some increased full-time positions inducted and ready to go, then it's likely there may be periods where the centre is understaffed again," Mr Digney said.
"If you have a look at the way COVID numbers are increasing and the other associated winter illnesses, Ashley is not unlike any other workplace.
"There needs to be some real focus on bringing some new employees in so we don't find ourselves in this situation again."
A Communities Tasmania spokesperson said an induction program for five new detainee centre staff started on Wednesday.
"The induction process runs for four weeks," they said.
"Another round of recruitment advertising is about to commence.
"The department is undertaking a range of activities to support the ongoing operations of AYDC, including providing support to the existing workforce, providing paid overtime, obtaining assistance from other service areas with a workforce with similar expertise, and recruitment of new youth workers."
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government recognised the challenges at Ashley.
"We are doing all we can to support our young people within the juvenile justice system, supporting their wellbeing and doing whatever we can to ensure sufficient staff resources," he said.
During the lockdown, the union lodged a provisions improvement notice with the government and said it would consider industrial action if staffing problems were not addressed.
That provisions improvement notice has now been extended until August 5 and could be extended further if required.
"That will remain while we discuss a lasting solution to the staffing issues," Mr Digney said.
