Use of force
154 Use of force
The superintendent of a detention centre or a person authorised by the superintendent may use force if the superintendent or authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that force is necessary to:
prevent a risk of a detainee:
inflicting self-harm; or
harming another person; or
damaging property; or
escaping from lawful detention; or
prevent a detainee from engaging in conduct that would:
endanger the safety of any person who is within the precincts of the detention centre, including the detainee; or
threaten the good order or security of the detention centre.
Notes for subsection (1)
1 See section 10 in relation to the use of force.
2 See section 152(3) in relation to the powers of a superintendent of a detention centre when a detainee is outside the precincts of, or absent from, the detention centre.
3 Other provisions of this
Act also provide for the use of force.
If the superintendent or authorised person uses force on a detainee, the superintendent must:
ensure the detainee is given an opportunity to be examined by a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife after the use of force; and
if the detainee requires medical attention after the use of force – ensure the detainee is examined as soon as practicable by a medical practitioner, nurse or midwife; and
keep notes of a medical examination under this subsection.
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