Chapter 2 Overview of facilities

Baxter Immigration Detention Facility[1]

2.1                   Baxter Immigration Detention Facility (IDF) was opened in July 2002[2] as part of the Commonwealth Government’s long-term strategy for detention in respect of unauthorised boat arrivals. It is located approximately 12 km south-west of the Port Augusta township and approximately 275 km north-west of Adelaide.

2.2                   Baxter IDF has a nominal capacity of 660 detainees (with contingency capacity for a further 220 detainees) and is available for use  by the Adelaide office of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) to detain visa over-stayers located in South Australia.[3]

2.3                   Detainees at Baxter IDF include:

n  unlawful citizens who have arrived in Australia without a visa by boat or by air;

n  unlawful citizens who have overstayed visas; and

n  illegal foreign fishers, stowaways, criminal deportees or persons who have had their visa cancelled.

2.4                   As at 25 May 2005 the population of the Facility was 215 detainees comprising 191 adult men, 20 adult women and 4 children.[4]This is a reduction of 24 people since the Committee’s visit in April 2004.

Structure and facilities

2.5                   Baxter IDF comprises new and second-hand transportable buildings. The second-hand buildings were previously used as part of an engineering camp near Collie, Western Australia. Planning of the compound sizes and configurations was largely influenced by the road and services infrastructure within the site.

2.6                   There are 9 accommodation compounds within the Facility comprising ensuite rooms, a dining room, public telephones for outgoing calls, a laundry, playground equipment, shade structures incorporating outdoor furniture, a nurse’s station and dispensary, an interview room, and an officer’s station. Two of the accommodation compounds have rooms equipped for the disabled, and a number of rooms have a lockable door communicating with the next room for family groups.

2.7                   Baxter IDF’s buildings are situated to form a rectangular common space, and the accommodation compounds have open areas that are grassed and landscaped. Each accommodation compound has a recreation area. Recreational facilities provided include:

n  entertainment – televisions, Austar cable television, videos, and electronic gaming equipment;

n  newspapers – various English and foreign language newspapers appropriate for the detainee population are provided wherever possible;

n  sport – a gymnasium, soccer, basketball, badminton and cricket facilities; and

n  leisure – a range of facilities are provided including a table tennis table, a pool table, board games, a bicycle in the family compound, air hockey, computers, Tae Bo, Yoga, Pilates, fishing, walking groups, family excursions, gardening, craft activities, and a hair and beauty salon.

2.8                   Multi-purpose rooms are also located in each compound and are available for detainees to conduct religious activities. Special meals are provided for religious festivals appropriate to the detainee population.

2.9                   Baxter IDF also has the following infrastructure:

n  an education complex with capacity for up to 200 students. The complex includes facilities for younger children, two playgrounds, and two shaded play/educational areas;

n  a 5-bed primary care medical complex with pharmacy, x-ray room, and consulting rooms;

n  a management unit consisting of 10 single ensuite rooms with intercom and CCTV monitoring, a dining/recreation room, and two external courtyards. The management unit is for those who are at risk of self-harm and who cannot be adequately supervised elsewhere, for those who represent a risk to others, and for those who otherwise require single accommodation; and

n  a visitors’ centre catering for both indoor and outdoor visits including a children’s playground, kitchenette, and a parenting room.

Management

2.10               Baxter IDF is managed by Global Solutions Limited (Australia) Pty Ltd (GSL). Along with Baxter IDF, GSL manages detention centres under contract to the Commonwealth Government at Christmas Island, Maribyrnong (Melbourne), Perth, Port Hedland (currently mothballed) and Villawood (Sydney). GSL also provides a range of other services under contract to Commonwealth and State Governments such as prison operation, prisoner transport, and medical transport.[5]

Previous inspection by the Committee

2.11               During the previous Parliament the Committee conducted an inspection of the Baxter IDF on 12 August 2002.

Port Augusta Residential Housing Project[6]

2.12               The Port Augusta Residential Housing Project (RHP) was opened in November 2003.[7] The RHP provides women and children with the opportunity to live a more independent and domestic lifestyle while still in immigration detention.

2.13               The RHP is located at Port Augusta and has a nominal capacity of 40 detainees (with contingency capacity for a further 8 detainees). As at 25 May 2005 the population of the RHP was 30 detainees comprising 11 women and 19 children.[8]

Structure and facilities

2.14               Port Augusta RHP comprises 8 self-contained 3-bedroom houses (including gardens and adjacent recreation areas) and an administration building.

2.15               Residents are able to cook their own food and attend to household duties, including regular accompanied visits to local retail outlets to purchase groceries and other household necessities. Residents can also attend educational and developmental activities and participate in accompanied excursions to local recreational facilities such as the library, swimming pool and cinema.

2.16               School-aged children living in the RHP are able to attend local schools. Each child is assessed and placed in an appropriate class by state education officials. Pre-school children are also able to attend kindergarten.

2.17               Participation in the Project is voluntary and adult males who have family members residing in the RHP are able to visit those family members regularly.