On 3 November 2017, I was dropped off at the reception of the Villawood detention centre probably after half past twelve. It was surprising, to say the least, to see the new look of the reception area of the Villawood Detention Centre. Although this area is still called 'the Property' in the same way as it was in 2006, everything looks different. There is a TV lounge, a nice clean kitchenette with a big fridge filled with all sorts of food for 'help yourself', an area
of picnic tables, seating for detainees waiting for escort, three separate interview rooms and a toilet, all new and clean. But the difference stops there. When I asked one of the Property persons who was, to my eyes, mucking about, to allow me to make a call to my Partner to let him know that I came to Villawood, she replied to me, 'Not now, I'm busy'. It was the same attitude as that in 2006.
From that time, I kept asking for a phone call every now and then and was refused each time. No one was in interview rooms. Two staff members for induction were wandering and occasionally went into an interview room and typed something into a computer but generally, they did not appear to have the intention to work. I regularly asked for a phone call and was refused. I was kept waiting until probably around 4:30pm and then eventually I persuaded the 'Property' to allow me to use a phone. At last, I could call my Partner and told him that I was in Villawood.
of picnic tables, seating for detainees waiting for escort, three separate interview rooms and a toilet, all new and clean. But the difference stops there. When I asked one of the Property persons who was, to my eyes, mucking about, to allow me to make a call to my Partner to let him know that I came to Villawood, she replied to me, 'Not now, I'm busy'. It was the same attitude as that in 2006.
From that time, I kept asking for a phone call every now and then and was refused each time. No one was in interview rooms. Two staff members for induction were wandering and occasionally went into an interview room and typed something into a computer but generally, they did not appear to have the intention to work. I regularly asked for a phone call and was refused. I was kept waiting until probably around 4:30pm and then eventually I persuaded the 'Property' to allow me to use a phone. At last, I could call my Partner and told him that I was in Villawood.