Drug-dealing, makeshift weapons and a ‘culture of fear’ at Villawood detention centre, report warns

The National Preventive Mechanism has released a damning report on Villawood detention centre, revealing a "culture of fear" and dangerous conditions that have arisen due to prolonged detention of children, insufficient staffing, and damage to buildings. Drugs are openly being dealt inside the facility, while makeshift weapons are being manufactured, and people are sleeping outside under CCTV cameras for their safety.

The report, based on a three-day visit in March, found that 428 people were held at the centre, including children, with 78 beds offline due to damage from a fire that occurred three years ago.

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