‘Degrading’ prison strip-searches rarely find anything and should be banned, advocates say
An analysis by the Human Rights Law Centre reveals that over 15,000 strip‑searches are carried out each month in Australian prisons, yet less than one percent yield contraband. Advocates, including former inmates, argue the practice is degrading, disproportionately harms vulnerable groups, and shou…
New research released by the Human Rights Law Centre shows that Australian prisons conduct an average of 15,154 strip‑searches each month, but only 0.58% of those searches result in the discovery of prohibited items. The data, obtained through freedom‑of‑information requests across six jurisdictions, forms the backbone of a report calling for an immediate ban on the practice.
Why strip‑searches are under scrutiny
Strip‑searches have long been a routine part of prison security, yet the latest figures expose a stark mismatch between the frequency of the searches and their effectiveness. In youth detention centres, the detection rate is slightly higher at 4.32%, but the overall success rate remains low. Most searches are logged as “routine” and many records do not even indicate whether anything was found, suggesting that the procedure is often carried out without clear justification.
Beyond the numbers, the human impact is profound. Sara, a survivor of sexual abuse who served time in a women’s prison in Melbourne more than eight years ago, described the experience as “degrading and humiliating.” She said the forced nudity felt like a violation, compounding the trauma she already carried. “I felt quite disgusting, but I felt I had no choice,” she told Guardian Australia. Sara’s story mirrors that of many women, gender‑diverse and trans inmates who have histories of abuse.
Advocates demand a shift to less invasive methods
Formerly Incarcerated Girls Justice Advocates Melbourne (Figjam), a collective that includes Sara and other survivors, has joined the push to end strip‑searches. The group argues that the practice is a gendered form of state violence that re‑traumatizes people who are already vulnerable. Figjam member Stacey, also a survivor of child sexual abuse, said, “Being strip searched by guards is an abuse of power that is deeply harmful and re‑traumatising.”
Senior lawyer Sohini Mehta of the Human Rights Law Centre recommends replacing strip‑searches with full‑body scanning technology similar to that used in airports and public buildings. “It’s just baffling how that technology is not available in some prisons and even where it is available, why strip‑searches have not been stopped in favour of using that technology,” Mehta told the newspaper.
Mehta added that the data points to a disproportionate impact on Indigenous Australians. In the Australian Capital Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women accounted for nearly half of all female strip‑searches in 2024. In Queensland youth prisons, more than half of the 700 strip‑searches recorded between 2020 and 2021 involved First Nations children. The report describes these patterns as evidence of systemic racism and discrimination within the criminal‑justice system.
Legal and policy context
Strip‑searches are governed by state and territory legislation, but there is no national standard that mandates when or how the procedure should be used. The Human Rights Law Centre’s analysis highlights gaps in record‑keeping and accountability, making it difficult to assess whether each search meets legal thresholds for necessity and proportionality.
International human‑rights bodies have repeatedly warned that invasive searches can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, especially when applied to populations with a high incidence of prior trauma. Australia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child therefore intersect with the domestic debate.
What comes next?
The report’s release on Tuesday has already sparked media attention and parliamentary questions in several jurisdictions. Advocates are urging corrections departments to pilot body‑scanner programs and to adopt trauma‑informed screening protocols. They also call for independent oversight of any future search practices.
For people currently in custody, support services such as 1800Respect (1800 737 732) and the Indigenous‑specific helpline 13YARN (13 92 76) remain available. The broader community is being asked to consider whether a practice that yields virtually no security benefit is worth the psychological cost to inmates, particularly women and Indigenous people who are over‑represented in prisons.
As the debate unfolds, the key question remains: will Australian correctional authorities replace a largely ineffective, trauma‑inducing practice with modern, less invasive technology, or will they continue to rely on a method that many describe as a form of state‑sanctioned humiliation?
Why it matters
The findings expose a costly, ineffective practice that harms vulnerable inmates and raises serious human‑rights concerns.
Key points
- 15,154 strip‑searches are performed monthly in Australian prisons, with a 0.58% contraband detection rate.
- Survivors of abuse report the searches as degrading, re‑traumatizing, and a form of coercive control.
- Indigenous women and children are disproportionately subjected to strip‑searches.
- Advocates call for body‑scanner technology and trauma‑informed screening as alternatives.
- Current legislation lacks consistent national standards and robust oversight.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of prison strip‑searches actually find contraband?
Only about 0.58% of adult prison strip‑searches and 4.32% of youth detention centre searches result in the discovery of prohibited items.
Are there alternatives to strip‑searches in Australian prisons?
Yes, experts recommend full‑body scanners and trauma‑informed screening methods that are less invasive and more effective.
Which groups are most affected by strip‑searches?
Women, gender‑diverse people, and Indigenous Australians—especially First Nations women and children—are reported to experience strip‑searches at higher rates.
Where can current inmates seek help about strip‑search trauma?
Support is available through 1800Respect (1800 737 732) and the Indigenous helpline 13YARN (13 92 76).
