A 25-year-old detainee at the Christmas Island detention centre says inmates not involved in the recent riot which caused significant damage to the facility are "being treated like animals" as part of a crackdown by authorities.

Matej Cuperka said detainees were rounded up and placed in "wire cages" after riot police stormed the facility to quash the riot which started last Sunday night.

He said the perceived ring-leaders of the disturbance were isolated and have since been moved to a maximum-security prison in Perth.

The detainee said he and other inmates who refused to participate in the riot were placed in a 10-metre-square wire cage for more than 30 hours with no access to showers, toilets or clean clothes.

Key points: Matej Cuperka says was kept in wire cage with no access to showers, toilets, clean clothes

Matej Cuperka says was kept in wire cage with no access to showers, toilets, clean clothes Claims those scheduled to be deported this weekend told they would not be leaving

Claims those scheduled to be deported this weekend told they would not be leaving Immigration Department denies detainees kept in cages

He said guards also confiscated mobile phones, which do not have cameras or recording devices and did not allow them to contact their families, loved ones or anyone "in the outside world" for three days.

Mr Cuperka described conditions on the island as oppressive and said inmates who were scheduled to be deported this weekend have been told they would not be leaving and are being kept in the dark about what is going to happen to them.

The ABC was scheduled to speak with Mr Cuperka again on Friday evening but he failed to make contact.

In an earlier text message sent to the ABC , Mr Cuperka's fiancee, Megan Muhleisen, said he was allowed a brief phone call to her on a landline.

Detainees 'treated like dogs'

She said Mr Cuperka - who is being deported to Slovakia for overstaying his visa - told her authorities at the centre were withholding phones from detainees.

"I got a four-minute phone [call] from him and [they are] keeping them incommunicado," the text message read.

"They are still treating the detainees like dogs. He's not doing well mentally and to be honest, I'm scared he's going to break and commit suicide soon."

Mr Cuperka first contacted the ABC on Monday morning to report a riot had broken out in the centre following the death of an Iranian refugee.

"About 30 people started a fight with the emergency response team in front of the medical [clinic] where officers left their stations and put the place in lockdown," Mr Cuperka said.

"They are setting fires everywhere," he said at the time.

"They started [on Sunday night]. They have broken into the canteen, into the property area, they started fires over there and now they [are] starting in the compound.

"There are cars full of officers driving around the complex. They are just having a look through the window, but nobody is helping us.

"I want to get out of here. Get me somewhere safe please."

Immigration Department denies detainees kept in cages

However, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection denied the inmates were being kept in cages.

In response to the allegations, a spokesman labelled the claims as lies made by hardened criminals housed within the detention centre.

In a statement responding to the latest claims by Mr Cuperka, the Department said: "There has been major damage to areas of [the] centre, including common areas.

"The Department is assessing the damage to infrastructure to determine the full extent of repairs required.

"The timeframe for the repairs is yet to be determined. The damage to Commonwealth property will be investigated fully and identified offenders will be prosecuted.

"Repairs are underway on accommodation compounds in the centre as a priority, with detainees accommodated overnight in temporary but secure parts of the centre.

"Reports of detainees sleeping in cages are false. Food and medical services are being provided and detainees who require medication are continuing to receive care and treatment as they normally would.

"The Department's priority is to ensure the safety, security and welfare of detainees at all times."

The department initially denied a riot had occurred at the detention centre before conceding a disturbance had broken out.

Despite initially claiming reports of fires being lit were false, the Department later admitted fires had been started inside the detention centre, but claimed damage was minimal.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton later conceded the repair bill was estimated at $10 million.