Applying human rights legislation in closed environments: a strategic framework For managing compliance: data

Full description

This data collection is part of the output from an ARC Linkage Project led by Bronwyn Naylor from Monash University and includes partner investigator, Inez Dussuyer from Ombudsman Victoria, project administrator, Katie Barnett, chief investigators, Julie Debeljak, Stuart Thomas and Arie Freiberg (Monash University) and six partner organisations: Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (Western Australia), Commonwealth Ombudsman ( ACT) and Ombudsman Victoria, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Office of the Public Advocate and Office of Police Integrity (Victoria). Over 50 senior policy makers in prisons, immigration detention centres and other closed environments were interviewed to find out how they set up human rights compliant practices following ‘The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities’. Over 70 staff and detainees have also been surveyed or interviewed. The associated data includes recordings and transcripts of the interviews, survey responses, policy documents and the physical materials used to disseminate the information to staff and residents: training manuals, kits, packages and posters etc. Primary documents collected, summarised and analysed include jurisprudence related to human rights in closed environments, case law from domestic jurisdictions, the UK, the European Court of Human Rights, and under the Committee against torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and comparative law from Canada and New Zealand. There is also data from focus groups and roundtable speeches, a list of monitoring agencies that inspect custodial services, a questionnaire sent to these agencies and approximately 50 completed questionnaires. Although the interviews are confidential, analysis of the data collection will help to produce a strategic framework for managers and staff to implement human rights in closed environments in Australia as part of their day to day practice.

Notes

Approximately 50 interviews (mp3) and transcripts (doc); recorded roundtable speeches (mp3); complied lists: monitoring agencies; advocacy and volunteer groups; themes emerging from interviews (doc); approximately 50 survey questionnaires and cover letter; summaries of case law, legislation and policy documents (pdf); training manuals, policy documents and posters (paper).

Significance statement

The data will be used to produce a strategic framework for managers and staff to implement human rights in closed environments in Australia as part of their day to day practice. It will also inform the practice of monitoring agencies, and heighten awareness in the community of the rights of people in these settings.