OICS review of a use of force to conduct a strip search at the AMC on 11 Jan 2021 released

24 Sep 2021

The review raises concerns about the use of force to carry out a strip search of an Aboriginal woman detainee at the Alexander Maconochie Centre on 11th January 2021.

The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services, Neil McAllister, presented the review for tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly today. The review makes nine recommendations.

Mr McAllister said, “The review found that, contrary to some media reports, the detainee was not strip searched in front of male officers or any detainees. However, she was subjected to a planned use of force that was conducted with the intent of forcibly strip searching her.”

“While the decision to conduct a strip search was lawful under the Corrections Management Act 2007 (ACT), the attempt to forcibly remove the detainee’s clothing was inconsistent with the Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT) which requires human rights to be considered in all decision making by a public authority.”

“To this end, the report recommends that human rights are explicitly considered before conducting planned forced strip searches. And that ACTCS expedite the acquisition of body scanning technology that would obviate the need for strip searches in most cases."

Read the full report here.