South Australia
SA’s Mental Health Ward Secludes Kids at 850% Above National Average
An investigation into child mental health care in SA found that the Boylan Ward at the state’s main children’s hospital was using seclusion at a rate approximately 850% above the national average. This raised urgent concerns about overuse of isolation on vulnerable young patients.
SA Ombudsman Warned No Child Should be Isolated
In 2019, the SA Ombudsman issued a clear recommendation that no child should be confined in isolation for more than 22 hours under any circumstances. Despite this, extreme isolation has continued in practice.
SA Detainees Self-Harm to Escape Cells After Extreme Lockdown
During official inspections, young people detained at Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre reported intentionally self-harming in the hope of being removed from their cells. They described being locked in for ‘an extraordinary amount of time.’
State Policy Allows Children to be Locked in Cells for 24 Hours in ‘Rare’ Cases
SA’s current policy permits the isolation of children for up to 24 hours, but only in what it defines as ‘extreme and rare circumstances’. However, oversight bodies have reported that such lockdowns are occuring more frequently than policy intends.
Children in SA Youth Justice Locked in Cells for Up to 23 Hours
The SA youth justice inspector reported that staffing shortages at Kurlana Tapa resulted in children being locked in their cells for up to 23 consecutive hours, conditions approaching solitary confinement.
SA Oversight Body Confirms Children Have Been Isolated for 21 Hours
Independent oversight found that children in SA youth detention facilities have been held in isolation for up to 21 continuous hours, raising significant concerns about the routine use of prolonged confinement.