Abuse thrives behind prison walls. The Human Rights Law Centre works alongside partners to end cruel and degrading practices in prisons. This includes fighting for an end to the incredibly harmful use of solitary confinement. 

PROJECT | Dignity for People in Prison 

Solitary confinement is a dangerous and cruel practice. Deterioration in physical and psychological health is likely to occur after only a few days. Prolonged isolation and sensory deprivation can cause anxiety, depression, anger, obsessive thoughts, paranoia, hallucinations and psychosis. Where a person has pre-existing mental health conditions, solitary confinement can be even more detrimental.

The Human Rights Law Centre calls for an end to the use of solitary confinement in Australian prisons through direct engagement with politicians and media advocacy. 

Additionally, the Human Rights Law Centre has been working with partners to shine a light on the exorbitant cost of phone calls in Victorian prisons.

At a time when phone call costs are approaching zero, a 12-minute call to a mobile phone from a Victorian prison costs around $7. This means people in prison cannot afford to call their children, siblings and friends, preventing them from maintaining the social connections that are crucial to reintegrating into society.

International human rights standards demand that prison authorities encourage people in prison to maintain relationships with people outside the prison. Victoria’s own human rights laws recognise the right to maintain family connections, and the particular significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remaining connected to community and culture.

Our advocacy led to changes being introduced in 2025 to reduce the cost of phone calls significantly.  

Our team continues to advocate for human and fair treatment of people behind bars and for independent oversight to prevent abuse from occurring.