The Commonwealth Ombudsman, who monitors Home Affairs' management of immigration detention, has today published a damning report highlighting serious issues including (again) excessive use of force by security contractors against people detained 1/6
https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/111390/Six-monthly-immigration-detention-report-Jul-Dec-2019.pdf

In one incident, "We concluded that the force used was outside standard operating procedures and did not appear to have a lawful basis...the use of force was excessive given [the person] did not appear to pose a risk to themselves or any other person." 2/6

When people in detention say they need their mobile phones to ensure Serco officers can be held accountable, this is exactly why. Unlawful and unjustified violence against a person detained by the Federal Government is less likely to happen if someone is filming. 3/6

Serco and Home Affairs investigation of this incident and other complaints was found to be inadequate. This is what happens when organisations investigate themselves

The Department ultimately issued an apology to the person and "reminded" staff about appropriate use of force 4/6

The report also noted that people are being detained in locations away from family, friends and other support networks, for increasingly long periods of time (some more than 10 years). This isolation and separation is why mobile phones are an essential lifeline in detention. 5/6

Minister Dutton is trying to pass legislation to ban mobile phones and other personal items in detention. After reading this report, it's clear how dangerous that would be.

Abuse thrives behind closed doors. His Department needs more accountability, not less. 6/6