The safety of detainees at Northern Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC) — as well as that of its staff — is in question following a tumultuous period at the troubled facility.
Police and emergency service responded to a "disturbance" at AYDC, according to Tasmania Police, on Wednesday afternoon after fire broke out at the compound.
The fire was extinguished within the hour, police say, however a set of keys were reportedly stolen from a security guard with another allegedly assaulted before two youths were returned to custody.
National Indigenous Times understands two AYDC staff members were allegedly assaulted, including one while attempting to recover the set of keys, with another employee suffering a suspected broken nose and requiring hospitalisation.
It is understood the incident occurred during a time of reduced staff numbers.
"Two youths are now safely in custody. An active police investigation is underway," a police spokesperson said.
"No other young people or staff are involved."
The incident came the day after AYDC staff conducted a two-hour strike on Tuesday afternoon.
Joint stop-work action from Health and Community Services Union (HSCU) and Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) staff was held to highlight what unions have described as severe understaffing and chronic safety risks at AYDC.
"The majority of the time I come with an anxiety, wondering what they day will expect and how that will look for me," an AYDC employee told media during Tuesday's strike.
"We show up because we care. We care for these young people, and we wish the best for them, and its difficult to do that when we aren't being looked after."
Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service CEO, Jake Smith, said AYDC employees' decision to strike was highly concerning.
"Strike action will likely impact youth detained at the centre which is of great concern", Mr Smith said.
"We continue to see operational concerns of the AYDC impacting youth in the care of the Tasmanian Government, highlighting the centre is not fit for purpose.
"Along with last week's UN report, and the many, many calls for the centre's centres closure, there continues to be an urgent need to expedite the closure of Ashley."
The action came after the United Nations condemned the treatment of young people at the centre in its five-yearly Universal Periodic Review.
Previous to the UN report's release, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service and Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre raised significant concerns about the treatment of young Indigenous detainees at Ashley.
Their concerns were raised after the Tasmania's Office of the Custodial Inspector highlighted "significant inconsistencies" in the Department for Education, Children and Young People's (DECYP) safeguarding of those in their care at the centre.
The Custodial Inspector's report prompted the National Network of Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls to label the treatment received by Ashley detainees as "torture-adjacent practice".
Tasmania, similar to other states, locks up Aboriginal youth at a disproportionately high rate.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data suggests on an average night in the June quarter 2024, First Nations young people aged 10-17 in Tasmania were 2.6 times more likely to be in detention compared to non-Indigenous young people in the state.
During the same reporting period the rate ratio for First Nations young people aged 10-17 in detention in Tasmania was 3.5 times the non-Indigenous rate, according to the AIHW.
In advances of Tuesday's strike, Greens Children and Young People Spokesperson, Cecily Rosol, raised "serious concerns" for young people detained at AYDC.
"The Commission of Inquiry exposed disturbing stories of young people abused in AYDC. 191 recommendations were made by the Inquiry to ensure the safety of children in the state's care, Ms Rosol said.
"But two years since the Commission of Inquiry, many recommendations have not yet been implemented by the Liberal Government. Ashley remains open, despite the recommendation that it should be closed as soon as possible."
Ms Rosol said the Greens "continue to hear of disturbing treatment of young people in Tasmanian institutions".
"Issues being raised by workers around safety, security and staffing failures only heighten concerns for the children still detained in Ashley," she said.
"The Liberal Government must ensure that children under their care are safe. They must progress with recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry, including closing Ashley urgently."
A Tasmanian Department of Education, Children and Young People spokesperson told National Indigenous Times the safety and wellbeing of staff and young people at AYDC "is our priority".
"We are actively improving workforce capacity through recruitment, with further intakes planned through 2026 and a casual pool is to be developed to support shift coverage at AYDC," the spokesperson said.
"The Department has established an AYDC Stabilisation Plan and Taskforce with additional resourcing, focussing on workforce stability, strengthened safety measures, and improved wellbeing and WHS culture. This has been shared with unions."
The spokesperson said the Government is committed to closing AYDC "as soon as possible", with work on its replacement, the purpose-built therapeutic youth justice facility near Brighton, north of Hobart, progressing.
"While AYDC remains open, arrangements are in place to support its continued and safe operation," they said.
"Regular support continues to be provided to staff and young people at AYDC, which includes access to clinical and wellbeing supports, debriefing and employee assistance services, and ongoing welfare check-ins."
The DECYP said as of Thursday 5 February almost half — seven out of 18 — AYDC detainees are Indigenous.
"Specific programs and support are available for Indigenous young people at AYDC," the DECYP spokesperson said.
