The report, which was heavily redacted, noted problems with security, along with compliance and recording of incidents relating to youth detainees.

While detainees at Ashley are there for real and serious reasons, there is a base duty of care that should be followed to make sure living standards are up to scratch.

What has been revealed in this report is that is not the case and that in many instances basic safety or incidents are not being recorded. The report, which was released by custodial Inspector Richard Connock, said there was "little real security" at Ashley, and noted the fact that the record-keeping system for recording incidents of force against detainees did not contain enough detail.

The alarming report shows that the checks and balances are not in place at Ashley to make sure that protocols to the care of these detainees are being followed.

While the Greens have called for the closure of the facility in light of the report, we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater and immediately shut down the facility. These detainees would need to be housed somewhere and if the centre were to close, most of these young people probably would have nowhere else to go.

While closure should not be the kneejerk reaction that we strive for, it's clear that significant reform needs to take place at the centre, to ensure correct protocols and policy are in place.

Despite their previous crimes, these young people are often trouble and need support. What they don't need is a lack of structure, which is being made apparent is what they are having to deal with daily. For far too long Ashley Youth Detention Centre has been the forgotten centre on top of the hill, while funding support and other initiatives are put in place at Risdon, and work begins to move on the Northern Prison proposal.

It's time that a spotlight is shone on the conditions at Ashley to ensure that reform can be made. It is a basic duty of care that we are talking about.