This segment discusses a grave situation at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania. It highlights the courageous actions of a whistleblower named Alicia, who exposed systemic abuse within the facility. The abuse involved verbal mistreatment, sexual assaults, and physical harm towards vulnerable young inmates.
Alicia, a former staff member at the center, witnessed and reported numerous incidents, including a horrifying sexual assault involving young inmates. Shockingly, despite evidence, none of these allegations were reported to the police. The report also mentions that staff members were aware of these abuses but chose to remain silent or cover them up.
The documentary further reveals that the abuse at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre has been ongoing for decades, with multiple victims and a history of inaction by authorities. It also highlights the disturbing case of James Griffin, a former staff member who had a history of child sex offenses but was allowed to work at the facility.
This expose sheds light on the urgent need for accountability and reform within the Tasmanian youth justice system to protect the rights and well-being of young inmates.
1. The text discusses a shameful episode in Australia's recent history, involving the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania.
2. The centre has a history of alleged abuse and neglect of children, with the issue remaining undiscovered for many decades.
3. The text highlights the bravery of whistleblowers, including Alicia, who decided to speak up about what was happening inside the facility.
4. Despite the known issues, the centre continued to operate, with children as young as 14 being left alone with older prisoners known to be predators.
5. The text mentions a leaked report written by a psychologist working at Ashley in 2019, warning senior management about the risk of serious harm to vulnerable inmates.
6. The report was ignored, and nothing changed.
7. The centre was already on notice that vulnerable young inmates were at risk of being raped.
8. In 2017, James Griffin, a suspected child sex offender, was transferred to Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
9. Griffin's past was well-known to authorities, but he was still allowed to work with vulnerable children.
10. Tiffany, a victim of Griffin, reported him to police in 2019. He was charged but took his own life before facing justice.
11. Tiffany and Alicia joined forces to expose the failings of state agencies in Tasmania to stop child abuse.
12. In March 2020, after the scandal about Griffin and the abuse at Ashley Jail, Premier Peter Gutmann called a commission of inquiry into institutional abuse.
13. Gutmann announced in a press conference that the centre would be closed in three years.
14. Senior lawyer Angela Sadrinus is leading a class action to sue the state of Tasmania on behalf of dozens of victims who allege abuse at Ashley.
15. The text ends with the chilling statement that there are still predators in the system in Tasmania today.