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Ashley Youth Detention Centre


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

No child should spend Christmas in prison, Greens call for urgent release of child prisoners from Ashley

The Greens are calling for children imprisoned at Ashley Youth Detention Centre to be allowed wherever possible to spend Christmas at home with their families

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Dec 2022


Lonely Child

UN Committee Recommendations Must Be Urgently Addressed

The UN Committee against Torture’s concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Australia provides substantive recommendations for Tasmania.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Nov 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Draft Youth Justice Blueprint a Good Plan, But no Immediate Solution

While the draft plan represents a major shift for youth justice and lays out the steps forward, it doesn’t solve Tasmania’s current youth justice failings.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  22 Nov 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Lockdowns

Children are again being locked up at Ashley for 23 hours in a day because you cannot properly staff the place.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Oct 2022


Lonely Child

AYDC Lockdowns Demand Immediate Action from Premier Rockliff

Revelations that children at Ashley Youth Detention Centre are once again facing rolling lockdowns of 23 hours a day are disturbing and distressing.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  24 Oct 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Response to Commission of Inquiry

Many of the kids ending up in Ashley have trauma, complex mental health issues, disability.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2022


Child, Shadow

National Child Protection Week

With the backdrop of the Commission of Inquiry, this National Child Protection Week is a particularly sombre one in Tasmania

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  5 Sep 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre

We have been concerned this week and have questioned the minister about the time line for the closure. It is meant to be in two years time.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Aug 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre

There are multiple grave allegations about current staff that got a 'business as usual' response from the former Department of Communities.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Aug 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Closure

The National Children's Commissioner has joined Amnesty and UNICEF in calling for Ashley's immediate closure.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Aug 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Alternative Sites

While Amnesty International and UNICEF Australia are calling for Ashley to close immediately, we are worried you have been dithering again.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Aug 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Closure

The commission of inquiry has heard harrowing evidence of extreme violence towards and sexual assault of children at Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Aug 2022


Lonely Child

Liberals Fail to Reassure Tasmanians on Ashley Closure

The Rockliff Government, particularly Minister Roger Jaensch, have been dragging their collective heels on closing the Ashley Youth Detention Centre for a year.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  23 Aug 2022


Coronavirus

Skyrocketing Covid Cases Expose Rockliff’s Failure

Skyrocketing cases and hospitalisations are down to the Liberals’ reckless, unscientific decision to facilitate mass infection.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Jul 2022


Happy Children, Playing with Parents

Estimates Reply - Jaensch

We started our questioning of Minister Jaensch around evidence that was given to the commission of inquiry.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Jun 2022


Child, Shadow

Jaensch's Shameful Secrecy

MinisterRoger Jaensch has refused to answer critical questions in Budget Estimates about staff who are stood down for child sexual abuse matters

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Jun 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Youth Justice Amendment (Searches in Custody) Bill 2022

How we deal with kids when they come into the system can make all the difference to whether or not we break the cycle for those young people.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  4 May 2022


Westbury Informal Reserve, Site of Proposed Northern Prison, Westbury, Tasmania

Greens Welcome Consultation on Ashley Instead of Westbury Reserve for Northern Prison

While the final decision is yet to be made, Westbury residents who love the Brushy Creek Reserve will today be allowing themselves to breathe a sigh of relief.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  4 Feb 2022


Planning Documents

Greens Welcome AYDC Repurpose Assessment

We welcome the Premier’s confirmation that Ashley Youth Detention Centre is a suitable facility for a therapeutic northern prison. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Dec 2021


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Estimates Reply – Minister Courtney

12 minutes at a minimum of the time devoted to the scrutiny of the Children and Youth portfolio went to Liberal backbencher questions.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  15 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Future Use of Site

In three years' time, Ashley will finally close its doors as a place of abuse and sadness for young people.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Sep 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Safety of Children

Given the history of the systematic brutalisation of children at Ashley we think more detail is needed.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Sep 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Aboriginal Affairs - Ashley Youth Detention

There has been a sharp spike in the number of Aboriginal children ending up in the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Sep 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Children and Youth - Ashley Youth Detention Centre

It is notorious for violence, disfunction and for younger children in that unit not being safe.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Children and Youth - Sexual Harassment

Was the complaint was sitting either on his desk or another desk in the department for up to four months before the investigation commenced?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Premier - Ashley Youth Detention Centre

I want to raise that in Tasmania sometimes people can be targeted because they challenge government or because they challenge the established order.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Greens Celebrate Ashley Youth Detention Centre Closure

On behalf of the Greens and the children of lutruwita/Tasmania, I thank Peter Gutwein for making the long-needed decision to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Sep 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Cabinet Announcement

The new Gutwein Cabinet is a mixed bag.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  18 May 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre Management Issues

What Mr Jaensch did this morning in question time was avoid answering the question and pretend he did not know which specific allegations we were raising.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Mar 2021


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Leave to Suspend Standing Orders

In 2016, five years ago now, the independent Noetic report, made it abundantly clear that the Ashley Youth Detention Centre is failing young people.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Mar 2021


Parliament House, Tasmania

Leave to Suspend Standing Orders

Three people have been stood down from AYDC including one person on a serious allegation of a sexual act with a child.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Mar 2021


Prison, Man Gripping Bars

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Allegations of Abuse

We understand the Serious Event Review Team was alerted, as was Child Safety Services.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Mar 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Allegations of Abuse

In January 2020, management of Ashley Youth Detention Centre were made aware of potential historical rape allegation.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Mar 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Roger Jaensch: Hapless or Heartless?

In Question Time today, we asked the Minister for Human Services, about two very serious allegations, relating to Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Mar 2021


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Custodial Inspector’s Report Confirms Ashley Must Close

Another Custodial Inspector report, another swathe of critical failures at Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYCD) have been exposed. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  4 Mar 2021


Magistrates Court

Estimates Reply – Attorney-General Archer

It is a deeply concerning allegation that children are going to night courts and appearing before a justice of the peace or a bench justice and a prosecutor.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Ashley Youth Detention Centre Call for Closure

The independent Noetic report in 2016 strongly recommended Ashley's closure and replacement with two small therapeutic centres.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre Issues

We have heard testimony that there is indeed a culture of abuse and cover-up at Ashley, that the problems are not just historical.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Estimates Reply – Minister Jaensch

A significant part of the Estimates with Mr Jaensch this year dealt with that terrible, unsafe place that is Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Dec 2020


Magistrates Court

Attorney-General and Justice – Ashley Youth Detention Centre

A disproportionate number of young people are sent to remand at Ashley Youth Detention Centre outside the normal operating hours of the Magistrates Court.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2020


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Housing – Ashley Youth Detention Centre

A disproportionate number of young people who are sent to remand at Ashley Youth Detention Centre are ejected into homelessness.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2020


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Human Services - Ashley Youth Detention Centre

Twelve months ago, a member of staff at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre found records about the alleged rape in the mid 1990s.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2020


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Premier – Ashley Youth Detention Centre

The Youth Custodial Inspector's report raised serious concerns about people coming on and off the site without working with vulnerable people registration.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Nov 2020


Child, Shadow

Safety of Children

The investigation that the Government has established into what happened over an 18 year period in the paediatric ward at the LGH is manifestly inadequate.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Nov 2020


Lonely Child

Safety of Children

There is something both rotten and wrong with the way at-risk children and young people are dealt with in Tasmania.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Nov 2020


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Calls for Closure

The Government ignored the advice in the independent expert Noetic report to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Nov 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Allegations Against Senior Staff Member

We have information that a senior staff member at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre has recently been stood down.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Nov 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Launceston General Hospital Allegations

We are just starting to uncover some of the truly heinous things that happened over 18 years that man was on the children's ward at the LGH.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  17 Nov 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry Must Investigate LGH and Ashley Youth Detention Centre

The Liberals must do right by the children who are, and have been, in government care.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Nov 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse Claims

The Government's independent investigation has limited terms of reference and focuses on the systems within the Tasmanian Health Service only.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Nov 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Elise Archer Should Know Prison is No Place for a Child

Tasmania’s Attorney General, Elise Archer, chaired a meeting of her federal, state and territory counterparts yesterday which again failed Australian children.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Jul 2020


Westbury Informal Reserve, Site of Proposed Northern Prison, Westbury, Tasmania

Westbury Residents Sold Out With "Benefits" Study

The Liberals continue to grubby their northern prison planning process with secrecy and bad faith community consultation.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Jun 2020


Prison, Man Gripping Bars

Avoiding a COVID-19 Prison Cluster is a Priority

The Greens commend the decision to suspend all prison visits, but remain concerned about the potential high risk for coronavirus transmission.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  7 Apr 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Inspection of Youth Custodial Services Redaction

Cassy O'Connor speaks on the Adjournment on the Custodial Inspector's comments on the redaction of their report in Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  30 Oct 2019


Westbury Informal Reserve, Site of Proposed Northern Prison, Westbury, Tasmania

Proposal for Prison at Westbury

Let us put on the record that we have had this conversation a number of times about the northern prison.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  30 Oct 2019


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Youth Justice System

Cassy discusses the Minister's responsibility for a redacted Youth Custodial Services report in the adjournment.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  29 Oct 2019


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre Report Redactions

Cassy O'Connor questions the Minister for Human Services over redactions in a youth custodial justice report.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  29 Oct 2019


Lonely Child

Jaensch Confirms by Omission His Office Requested Ashley Redactions

The Minister responsible for the Ashley Youth Detention Centre refused to honestly answer a simple, direct question from the Greens.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  29 Oct 2019


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Inspection of Youth Custodial Services Report Redactions

This morning the custody inspection report, Inspection of Youth Custodial Services in Tasmania 2018 was tabled.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  17 Oct 2019


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Liberals' Clumsy Attempts to Cover Up Ashley Scandal

The Liberals have attempted, and failed, to redact some of the shameful results of an independent inspection of Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Oct 2019


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Tasmanian Youth Justice Highest Rates of Assault and Self Harm

Today’s ROGs chapter on youth justice exposes a harsh approach to youth justice in Tasmania and reinforces the need to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  24 Jan 2017


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Greens Release Costed Plan to Close Ashley

The evidence is clear that Ashley represents a failed model for youth justice.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Sep 2016


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Ashley Review Builds Case for Closure

The Independent Review of Ashley Youth Detention Centre makes it clear the model for dealing with young offenders in Tasmania has failed.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Sep 2016


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

Ashley Youth Detention Centre

The Greens recognise that the Minister and her agency have taken this matter very seriously.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Aug 2016