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Crackdown after latest detention escape

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has ordered a crackdown on where "high risk" asylum seekers are kept after another escape in WA.

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Source: AAP


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A crackdown on where "high risk" asylum seekers are detained has been ordered by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison after another escape from the Yongah Hill detention centre in Western Australia.

Four men were quickly recaptured after escaping from the facility on Monday night, which was the fourth such escape in six months.

Residents in nearby Northam have called for action, while private prison operator Serco is under increased pressure to improve its service.

Mr Morrison revealed he had ordered the Immigration Department to change how it assessed the risk of detainees escaping.

He said he still had faith in Serco, but had made his displeasure clear over the recent run of break-outs.

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"My bigger concern here is that these things have reoccurred on quite a few occasions," Mr Morrison told Fairfax radio.

"What have I asked is for a change in who they are putting in that facility, and make a different assessment of the risk of people absconding.

"The government has to review who it puts in there, and how they make those decisions. I am not happy about it. I don't think it is acceptable."

Documents recently revealed security weaknesses at Yongah Hill, including the voltage on the 3.2-metre electric fence not being high enough to deter escapees.

On Fairfax Radio on Wednesday, a caller claimed one of the escapees would take the shock, allowing others to scale the fence.

Northam Shire president Steve Pollard said the fences needed to be improved.


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