Australian youth detention ‘breaking’ children

A system intent on “breaking” rather than “rehabilitating” the children in its care. That’s the damning conclusion of a report published today into youth detention centres in the north of Australia. It found widespread mistreatment by some staff – including the use of spit hoods, tear gas and solitary confinement – and called for the closure of one infamous detention centre, Don Dale in Darwin. The Australian Prime Minister now says the report has implications for the whole country.