US prisoners released from Russia back on home soil
The United States and Russia have completed a 24-person prisoner swap, the largest in post-Soviet history, with the US detainees finally back home.
prisoners and detainees
‘High-risk’ serial rapist jailed for graphic searches
A man with a "frightening" history of violent sexual offending, including the gang rape of a Sydney woman, has been sent back to jail over online searches.
‘I was … hurting kids’: ex-justice chief breaks down
Children were subjected to cruel punishment that amounted to institutional abuse in youth detention, a former justice department boss has told an inquest.
Prisoners should be kept 72 hours not 21 days: coroner
Prisoners should be kept in watch houses for a maximum of 72 hours, not 21 days, says a coroner following an inquest into the deaths of two women in custody.
Fate of detainees at Nauru facility still unclear
Detainees at Nauru's offshore processing centre have been told they could be released into the island country's community, but hold fears for their future.
Woman admits ‘hugely valuable’ prison drug smuggling
A court has accepted a sad tale behind the "terrible mistake" a woman made in trying to smuggle drugs that could have been worth $1 million into a prison.
Victoria to axe lucrative private prison deal early
Two prisons will close in Victoria with inmates moved to facilities including a $1.1 billion state-of-the-art prison that's been mothballed since 2022.
‘Given a voice’: youth centre victims reach $75m deal
Lawyers representing former detainees who were abused at Tasmania's youth detention centre have reached an in-principle $75 million settlement with the state.
Custodial staff cleared of misconduct over teen’s death
A corruption watchdog has found no evidence to support claims of serious misconduct before a teenager fatally self-harmed in the youth wing of an adult prison.
‘Forgotten kids’ in detention falling between cracks
The plight of children in custody in Australia has again been highlighted with judges describing one child's lengthy isolation as a disgrace and embarrassment.
Minister denies NZ ties came before community safety
As he comes under fire for a controversial directive, the immigration minister has confirmed drones are used to track foreigners released from detention.
Apology a decade after Aboriginal woman died in custody
An apology has been issued by the Western Australian police and the country health service over the death of a young Aboriginal woman in custody in 2014.
Man accused of training Chinese pilots airs ASIO claims
Daniel Duggan's wife has gathered 25,000 signatures calling on the attorney-general to stop his extradition after he was accused of aiding the Chinese military.
Snowtown accomplice released into community
Snowtown murders accomplice Mark Ray Haydon has been moved from the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre to live in the community, after almost 25 years in custody.
Border security under fire after men detained in Qld
A group of men have been detained after trying to enter Australia, sparking calls for better border security in the Torres Strait by the local mayor.
Deportation bill held up as major High Court case looms
A Senate committee is split over laws threatening foreigners with jail time if they don't comply with deportation orders as a significant High Court case nears.
PM slams prosecutors amid fallout over ex-detainee bail
Anthony Albanese has distanced himself from a decision to oppose bail for a released detainee before an alleged assault, saying it "lacks common sense".
Action threat over ‘children assaulted in watch houses’
Children in Queensland police watch houses have been sexually and physically assaulted, with an advocacy group saying the system is not coping.
Monthly reports on released detainees to be rolled out
Australian Border Force will be publishing community reports on the situation surrounding 149 immigration detainees released following a High Court ruling.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny dead: prison
Russia's jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died, the country's prison service says.
NSW bans spit hoods but still some backing in NT
Advocates are calling for all jurisdictions to ban spit hoods, after NSW became the second state to pass legislation prohibiting their use, following SA.
Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 65 of its own POWs
Moscow has accused Ukraine of shooting down a Russian military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
UN committee report slams Australia’s ‘inhuman’ prisons
Prisons and detention centres in Australia have been described as inhuman and degrading by a UN report that claims some cases may amount to torture.
Two men charged with murder over alleged inmate bashing
Two men have been charged with murder over the death of Benn Schinkel after a suspected bashing in a central Queensland prison last year.
Freed detainee adapts to curfews, ankle bracelet life
A newly released stateless refugee is slowly rebuilding his life but with an ankle monitor and curfews, he feels held back from fully adjusting.
‘This country failed them’: calls for detention inquiry
Refugees, politicians and asylum seeker advocates are urging the Albanese government to establish a royal commission into immigration detention.
Murderer’s sentence unchanged after assaulting guard
A man serving a life sentence for killing three people pleaded guilty to assaulting a prison guard who was trying to help him.
Two men on the run after escaping prison
Authorities are searching for two men who absconded from a correctional centre in Townsville on Sunday.
Calls to free Palestinian refugee in Australian custody
The UN and the Palestinian embassy have demanded the release of a stateless Palestinian man who has been in immigration detention for a decade in Australia.
Hundreds rally after Indigenous teen’s death in custody
Hundreds of people have gathered to call for justice after the death of an Indigenous teen who self-harmed in the youth wing of an adult prison.
‘Disturbing’ lockdown trend at youth detention centre
Tasmania's custodial inspector has a described disturbing and unprecedented lockdowns at the state youth detention facility.