The private harms of detention: why Serco’s violence is not criminalised

Figures & data

Table 1. Use of Force incidents by incident type for people in immigration detention centres (IDC) and facilities (ITA, APOD) between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022 (Commonwealth, 2022).

Use of force incidents	Unplanned use of force	Planned use of force	Total
Adelaide Immigration Transit Accommodation (ITA)	<5	<95	<100
Brisbane ITA	120	3024	3144
Melbourne ITA	104	497	601
North West Point IDC	57	151	206
Northern Alternative Place of Detention (APOD)	0	11	11
Perth IDC	71	97	168
Villawood IDC	1159	1255	2414
Yongah Hill IDC	307	455	762
Total	1823	5584	7405

Table 2. Type of use of force used on detainees under 18 years in immigration detention centres and facilities between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020 (Commonwealth, 2021).

Type of use of force used on detainees under 18	No. detainees
Planned use of mechanical restraints for escort to offsite location	50
Unplanned use of restraints for escort within or outside detention facility	6
Unplanned use of force to prevent self-harm	<5
Unplanned use of force to prevent assault	<5
Unplanned use of force to prevent injury	<5
Unplanned use of force to prevent escape	<5
Total number of detainees under 18 involved in incidents of use of force	65

Table 3. Migration Act 1958 (Cth) provisions empowering the use of force.

• s 5 detain; s189 detention of unlawful non-citizens; s 192 detention of visa holders whose visas are liable to cancellation; s 253 detention of deportee

• s 198 removal of unlawful non-citizens from Australia

• s 252(8) pat searches of persons

• s 252AA(2) power to conduct a screening procedure

• s 252A strip search detainee in particular circumstances; s 252B(1)(k) use of force in conducting a strip search

• s 261AE(1)–(4) use of force in carrying out identification tests

Commonwealth. (2022, November 18). Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Budget Estimates. Question on Notice no. 155 (OBE22-155).

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Commonwealth. (2021, March 22). Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, 2020–21 Additional Estimates. Question on Notice no. 284 (AE21-284).

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