Joint open letter on ongoing and arbitrary use of 14 day quarantine in prisons
Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, legal, human rights and civil liberties organisations wrote to the Acting Premier raising concerns about the ongoing use of 14 day quarantine in prisons.
At a time when there is no community transmission of Covid-19 in Victoria, it is arbitrary and inappropriate for every person entering prison to be subject to 14 days in ‘quarantine’ regardless of Covid-19 risk. ‘Quarantine’ in prisons is too often code for solitary confinement, which is a destructive practice known to inflict long term, irreversible harm.
In the joint open letter, signatories called on the Victorian Government to:
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reduce the number of people being funnelled into prisons, instead of putting people at risk of being subjected to practices that could amount to solitary confinement; and
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adopt a proportionate, human rights-compliant response to Covid-19 in prisons based on robust health advice, which should include consideration of less restrictive measures.
Media contact:
Evan Schuurman, Media and Communications Manager, 0406 117 937.
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Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Cammeraygal, Darug, Wadawurrung, Turrbal and Jagera people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
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