BackThe Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman recently released a report on its own motion investigation on suicide and self-harm in Australia’s immigration detention network.
In July 2011, the then Commonwealth and Immigration Ombudsman announced an own motion investigation to examine the incidence and nature of suicide and self-harm in Australia‟s immigration detention network. The investigation was prompted by an escalation in self-harm incidents and significant concerns about the mental health and wellbeing of detainees.
This investigation and report has been undertaken over the course of nearly two years. It describes the detention services network and policy framework around the time of the peak in self-harming behaviour in mid-2011, and reflects on the current situation, the improvements that have been made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and its service providers, and identifies the areas where the Ombudsman thinks that scope for further improvement remains.
Cautionary note: The report contains information that some readers may find confronting or disturbing. Media representatives are requested to report in accordance with established media protocols for the reporting of suicide and self-harm (see www.mindframe-media.info/ for further information),
Source: Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman
