BIMBERI Youth Justice Centre will no longer be able to conduct strip searches or body searches simply to maintain “good order”, following changes to the Children and Young People Act passed by the Legislative Assembly today.

The amendment Bill was passed unanimously by the Assembly, following recommendations in a review of the ACT youth justice system by the Human Rights Commission.

Another amendment strengthens the statutory requirement to report any use of force to with a young detainee to a treating doctor or nurse.

The requirement does not apply to a “planned use of force”, such as when handcuffs are placed on a young offender who has been assessed as being at risk of attempting to escape while being transported to court.

Minister for Children and Young People Joy Burch said the amendments demonstrated the government was continuing to improve the youth justice system.

“These changes ensure that the principle of the best interest of the child or young person is reflected in the processes and procedures that underpin our system,” Ms Burch said.