Question regarding strip searches of children in detention in WA and parental notification. The answer confirms strip searches occur but parental notification is not required by law.

AnsweredQoN 4230Legislative Council
Asked
16 August 2016
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Are children in detention in Western Australia subject to strip searches? (2) If yes to (1), is it policy to notify a parent or legal guardian before the strip search is undertaken? (3) If yes to (2), can the parent(s) or legal guardian request to be present in the event that a strip search is required? (4) If no to (2) or (3), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
13 September 2016
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
28 days
The Department of Corrective Services (the Department) advises:
(1) Yes
(2)-(4) The Young Offenders Act 1994 (s.196) and Young Offenders Regulations 1995 (Part 10, Divisions 1 and 2) outline the legislative provisions for searches of young people at the Banksia Hill Detention Centre. The Department is not required to notify a parent or legal guardian before conducting a strip search.

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