New South Wales
NSW Ombudsman: 147 Children Held in Segregation Over 24 Hours in One Year
In 2021-22, the NSW Ombudsman received 147 reports of juvenile detainees held in ‘segregation’ for over 24 hours - a 46% increase from the previous year. These cases triggered mandatory notification under NSW law.
Children Legally Segregated for Up to 3 Hours
By law, segregation in NSW youth detention ‘cannot exceed three hours without approval’ and must be ‘as short as practicable’. Despite this, extended confinement remains common, with many cases exceeding the baseline limit.
Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre Leads NSW in Solitary Confinement Cases
The Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre recorded 67 notifiable instances of segregation lasting longer than 24 hours in a single year - more than any other youth justice facility in New South Wales.
1 in 3 Child Confinements in NSW Lasted Up to 24 Hours
Official records revealed that 72% of juvenile confinement incidents were under six hours, but 28% lasted up to 24 hours. Confinement beyond 24 hours required executive-level approval.
NSW Law Permits Solitary for Children Aged 10-15 Up to 12 Hours Without External Oversight
NSW law allows the confinement of young people in youth justice facilities for up to 12 hours if under age 16, and up to 24 hours if aged 16 or older.
NSW Minister Admits to 13 Solitary Confinements of Children in just 2 Years
Between 2014 and 2016, NSW’s then-Corrections Minister confirmed that children were subjected to solitary confinement on 13 separate occasions across juvenile detention centres.