Australia’s “GITMO” System (2004)

Is this Administrative Detention?

In June 2002 on the PM program on ABC radio, PHILIP RUDDOCK said: “Well, let me just say, detention centres are not prisons. They are administrative detention. They’re conducted in quite a different way.”

Here are some details of how “administrative detention” is administered in Baxter in 2004, by Global Solutions Limited (GSL). The purpose of the new regime: to “teach you detainees to be respectful in the Australian way”.

It has reminded some of the way people are treated in the USA’s prison (“GITMO”) at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

When a guard decides that a person is “not respectful” or has committed a punishable offence that person is removed to Management (MU). After an interval of GSL’s choosing, the person is then taken to REDGUM (previously called RED1) where they enter a four-stage program. There is no chance to explain, no enquiry into what has happened, and no opportunity to call witnesses in one’s defence.

Four recent instances illustrate the unfairness of a system that first provokes traumatised ill people to frustration or anger, and then punishes them so that their trauma is increased.

Story 1: Detainee is made to wait one hour for his prescribed medication and then after the hour is refused by the nurse, who says he has to wait to see the doctor another day. He is dependent on this medication. He speaks angrily to the nurse who puts in a complaint (- a complaint that both witnesses and video evidence say is untrue). He is put into the punishment regime and his room is stripped of all his belongings. It will be along time before he sees his friends again. This young man had already had to stand by helpless as family members were beaten or killed. He has not had the opportunity to grieve. He has been nearly four years in detention.

Story 2: Detainee is moved to Baxter from another detention centre and his few, but highly valued, belongings are not brought with him. Management refuses to take any responsibility for this. After weeks with no response to requests for his belongings, he throws sachets of sugar in the dining room. He is locked up in isolation. This is very traumatic for him (he was tortured in his home country before he came here, and still suffers from this in both body and mind). He threatens suicide. He is stripped and has to stand naked in front of female and male guards. He is put in a short gown, deprived of his underwear and left in a small room, lights on 24 hours a day, under full video surveillance – even when showering. He cowers in the corner, crying and broken. Finally he is taken to “Redgum” where he begins his punishment regime. During this time he is taken to Adelaide to see a psychiatrist – in heavy metal handcuffs which are not even removed during his interview with the doctor.

Story 3: Detainee who has tried suicide several times, and is severely ill, manages to take 60 tablets. He climbs on the roof. He is given a chair by the guards and left there. He asks for a blanket and is refused. His friends ask the guards if they can talk him down – this too is refused. By morning, he is in a very bad way and is taken to intensive care in an Adelaide hospital. Physically he is now recovering – but mentally, will he ever regain his full health? Who will take responsibility for him, and for all the others in detention who are suffering the severe physical and psychological symptoms attributable to detention and all that goes with Australia’s “punish-the-victim” refugee policy?

Story 4: Christian detainee who is very frightened of being deported to Iran is called to an interview with DIMIA. He is told his case is hopeless, and he has to return or he will be deported. Returning to his room, he finds it has been turned upside down and searched. He decides he no longer wants to live in this situation of intimidation, hostility and punishment, and quietly stops eating. He is not on a protest strike. He does not want anyone to know. He just wants to die in peace.

Here are the four stages of the punishment regime:

STAGE ONE – Person locked in a room alone for all but 4 hours per day:

· Allowed 1 phone call per day and 1 visit per week
· Duration: 1 week

STAGE TWO – Person locked up for all but 6 hours per day:

· Allowed 2 phone calls per day and 1 visit per week
· Duration: 1 week

STAGE THREE – Allowed out of room from 8am until 11pm:

· Phone open. 3 visits per week
· Duration: 2 weeks

STAGE FOUR – Allowed out 8am until 11pm

· Allowed 5 visits.
· Meals must be taken in time out of room
· No food allowed in room
· Duration: 4 weeks

At the end of this time, if all conditions have been satisfied, the person is allowed to return to their old compound

This “Snakes and Ladders” game has conditions – which mean that failure, misdemeanour can send the participant back to Stage One at any time to begin the climb to freedom all over again.

Who decides the crime?

Who decides the punishment?

No appeal process.

No transparency.

GSL is Judge, Jury and JAILER.

Is this Administrative Detention?

Traumatized, desperate people who come to us after persecution and torture are a humanitarian and medical challenge for us. Not a security threat. We are sickened by images of how prisoners are treated in Iraq. How does Australia treat people who are NOT even prisoners? It is worth looking up the medical research about the effects of isolation on anyone and particularly on anyone already suffering. It is also worth recognizing that isolation is one of the most effective punishment modes used by the Americans, the Iranians, and most fascist and dictatorship regimes.

If you want to say NOT IN OUR NAME, Mr Prime Minister please phone or email or write to the Prime Minister or Senator Vanstone, or your local MP or Senator, and ask by whose permission is this allowed to happen? Do you know this is happening to traumatised people? Those who know politicians whom they believe do have a heart might like to send them information on these incidents.

Original article by
Pamela Curr
ASRC Campaign Coordinator

Adapted and with additional information by
Jane Keogh
Refugee Action Committee