Key facts
- Drugs are being openly dealt inside Villawood detention centre.
- Makeshift weapons are being manufactured amid intimidation and a "culture of fear".
- Some people are sleeping outside under CCTV cameras for safety.
- Children are being kept from going to school.
- 78 beds were offline due to damage from a fire three years ago.
- Some detainees have been held for over a decade.
- A man died in January after an alleged attack by another detainee.
- The report highlighted insufficient staffing and hazardous building damage.
A report from Australia's independent monitor has detailed severe issues within the Villawood detention centre, including open drug dealing, the manufacturing of makeshift weapons, and a pervasive "culture of fear" among detainees. The National Preventive Mechanism's findings, based on a three-day visit in March, revealed that some individuals were sleeping outside under CCTV for safety, and children were being denied access to schooling.
At the time of the visit, 428 people were held at Villawood, with some detained for over a decade. The report noted that 78 beds were unusable due to damage from a fire three years prior. Detainees reported the "free movement" of illicit substances, leading to aggressive behaviour, intimidation, and standover tactics associated with the drug market, contributing to a sense of insecurity.
Concerns were also raised about large shards of glass in common areas and damage to building structures suggesting attempts to create weapons. Some individuals chose to sleep in common areas rather than their rooms due to the perceived safety offered by CCTV monitoring, as bedrooms in most compounds lack surveillance.
The report specifically highlighted the detrimental impact on children detained for months without access to education, warning of risks to their mental health and development. While the government stated children now have access to remote education, the report emphasized the lack of peer engagement and meaningful activities.
Insufficient staffing levels were identified as a critical issue, exposing both staff and detainees to danger. The monitor directly witnessed staff failing to intervene in a serious physical altercation. Previous investigations by Guardian Australia revealed warnings from the federal work safety regulator about the "minimalist staffing model" employed by MTC, the centre's operator, endangering individuals.
Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson described the conditions as a "failure to provide a level of services that meet minimum standards of safety, care and support," urging "urgent remedial action" to prevent further deterioration and harm, including serious injury or loss of life. The acting secretary of the home affairs department, Hamish Hansford, acknowledged the report, stating the department recognizes the importance of treating detainees with dignity and respect, and agreed with eight of the 15 recommendations, noting that some issues are already being addressed.