The ACT Children & Young People Commissioner, Mr Alasdair Roy, Today Announced That He

Bimberi Review Underway

The ACT Children & Young People Commissioner, Mr Alasdair Roy, and the ACT Human Rights & Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Helen Watchirs, today announced details of their Inquiry and Human Right Audit into the youth justice system in the ACT, including the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.

“The Attorney General, Mr Simon Corbell, MLA, wrote to me asking that I undertake an Inquiry into certain aspects of the youth justice system in the ACT, including Bimberi,” Mr Roy said.

The Attorney General also asked Dr Watchirs, to undertake a Human Rights Audit of Bimberi.

The Attorney General’s request follows a resolution passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly on 8December 2010, which noted a number of issues of concern at Bimberi and in the broader youth justice system.

“Dr Watchirs and I have recruited a small team of highly qualified people who have already begun work on the Review”, Mr Roy said.

“We are calling for public submissions, and have established a dedicated telephone number for members of the public, including current or past youth justice staff, to talk with the team in confidence.”

“We are particularly interested in talking with young people who may have had contact with the youth justice system, or who may have spent time in Bimberi.”

“We will visit Bimberi today to talk more with the young people currently in the centre”, Mr Roy said.

“Young people in detention have particular needs, so I welcome this opportunity to further promote and protect the human rights of this vulnerable group of people. The 2005 Human Rights Audit of the former youth justice centre, Quamby, led to important improvements and it’s timely to assess human rights compliance at Bimberi”, said Dr Watchirs.

Mr Roy and Dr Watchirs are required to present the report to the Legislative Assembly by 30 June 2011.

“I am confident that with the cooperation of the Government and the key relevant agencies, including the Department of Disability, Housing & Community Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health, we will meet the deadline”, Dr Watchirs said.

More information on the Review, including making submissions, is available from http://www.hrc.act.gov.au, by emailing , or by telephoning the Review Team, on 6205 2890.

Media Contact: Sean Costello - 6205 2222, 0424 369 231.

31 January 2010

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