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Villawood should be demolished

The Jesuit refugee service director, Fr David Holdcroft, concurred with the assessment given by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) that labelled the condition found in Villawood's high security section, known as Stage 1, as 'prison-like' and recommended it be demolished.

A frequent visitor to the illegal immigrant detention centre located in Sydney, he said the condition creates or exacerbates poor mental health.

Last week, the HREOC released a damming report on the Villawood centre, saying it should be abolished and be replaced with a new centre, reported a Fairfax Ltd. newspaper.

However, Senator Chris Evans, the Federal Immigration Minister, remained coy about the idea and said he was still examining the recommendations.

The Jesuit Refugee Service has welcomed the indications given by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and Senator Evans in reviewing HREOC report.