'Disturbing' lockdown trend at youth detention centre

Lockdowns at Tasmania's troubled youth detention centre are occurring at a "disturbing" systemic level.

The state custodial inspector's 2022/23 annual report has also noted children at Ashley Youth Detention Centre rarely achieved the required minimum 10 hours outside their rooms each day.

A commission of inquiry, which released its final report last month, found the centre was a "live and current" child sexual abuse risk and called for it to be closed as soon as possible.

The state government has pledged to shut the centre as quickly as it can as part of a shift to more therapeutic facilities, but hasn't provided a timeline.

Custodial Inspector Richard Connock said lockdowns had sadly become an issue at Ashley during the 2022/23 reporting period.

"I have not previously observed lockdowns on a systemic level in youth detention in Tasmania and it is a disturbing precedent," he said.

"Under inspection standards, young people should have a minimum 10 hours out of (their) bedroom each day, but this was rarely achieved."

In October last year, detainees on average spent four hours out of their room each day.

The United Nations committee against torture in December said it was seriously concerned about the practice of keeping children in solitary confinement at Ashley.

The committee said the practice contravened the UN convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments.

Mr Connock said staffing shortages seemed to be a major reason for lockdowns at the centre and in Tasmania's adult custodial facilities.

He said staffing problems appeared to have persisted through the reporting year, despite reports referring to prison service centre and Ashley worker recruitments.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said his government was committed to developing a youth justice system that achieved better outcomes for young people and their families.

He said there was a need to act on the commission of inquiry's 191 recommendations, which the government pledged to adopt, as soon as possible.

"But I am also very mindful there is a community safety issue here," he told state parliament on Thursday.

"It's the safety of the youth and the safety of the community of which we also need to be very, very mindful of."

Minister for Children and Youth Roger Jaensch said he was aware there had been questions raised to the inquiry about the use of isolation or restrictive practice.

"I am also advised that the use of 'time out' that involves providing scope for young people to de-escalate after an incident or event is not considered a form of punishment," he told state parliament earlier this week.

"Nor is the use of restrictive practices when, for the safety of residents and staff at Ashley due to staffing ratios, we have been unable to provide the full program of services."

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for the immediate closure of Ashley.

The state government in 2021 pledged to shut the centre by the end of 2024 but has, in recent months, indicated it will take longer.

The department for education, children and young people has been contacted for comment.