Inmates at Tasmania's major remand centre were locked down for almost five straight days last month with no idea when they were going to be let out of their cells.
"It's a horrific thing to do to someone, to just lock them in a room for days and days with no idea when they're going to get out."
The ombudsman's office acknowledged the distress the situation was causing Ellen and her son — but that it could not accept the complaint because it had to come from the aggrieved person.In an email to the Tasmanian ombudsman, she raised her concerns about the "extensive lockdowns they have been having", writing that her son was "basically in solitary confinement for five days"."Just like every inmate in remand.
"Your son has access to a telephone and can contact the ombudsman using his UNITY account during business hours. Calls made to the ombudsman are free," she wrote."If he has any concerns about his health he can request to meet with therapeutics."Ms Leary said even though she could not accept the complaint, Ellen's concerns had been noted and she had followed up with the Tasmanian Prison Service.
"In other words, they have the presumption of innocence, and it may be that they are acquitted of the offence or alternatively they get a non-custodial sentence," he said. "In these instances, essential services and inmate supports, including personal visits, are still maintained where it is safe to do so.
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