Human Rights in Closed Environments

This volume considers the application of human rights in six specific Australian “closed environments” â€" prisons; police cells; forensic psychiatric institutions; closed mental health units; closed disability units; and immigration detention centres. The publication highlights rights concerns common across the different types of environments, such as the vulnerability of persons held in detention, the tension between respect for rights and safety concerns, and securing a human rights culture in a context of significant power imbalances. It also draws comparisons between the same closed environments in different jurisdictions, examining the “value add” of formal rights instruments. Finally, it considers the role of external monitoring mechanisms (such as, Ombudsmen and Human Rights Commissions) in securing rights respecting environments.

Human Rights in Closed Environments is a special issue (Volume 31) of the journal Law in Context. You can purchase a single copy of this issue through this page, or subscribe to the journal from the journal page.