‘Barbaric’ practices still used in Victorian prisons, human rights advocates say

An inquiry into Victoria’s criminal justice system found ‘problematic practices’ such as solitary confinement strip-searches and the use of physical restraints. Photograph: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy

The Victorian government is facing calls to establish an independent watchdog to scrutinise solitary confinement and strip-searches in the state’s prisons in an effort to prevent human rights abuses.

In the lead-up to the November state election, the Human Rights Law Centre has urged the government to establish the body as part of its obligations under the UN’s anti-torture treaty that Australia ratified almost five years ago.