The Tasmanian Government has accidentally released details of a damning report revealing serious security deficiencies and issues surrounding the use of force at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Key points: Ashley Youth Detention Centre "houses juvenile offenders of both sexes aged 10-18 years", the government says

Ashley Youth Detention Centre "houses juvenile offenders of both sexes aged 10-18 years", the government says The 50-bed facility was established at its current location in 1922 and is Tasmania's only youth justice facility

The 50-bed facility was established at its current location in 1922 and is Tasmania's only youth justice facility The poorly executed redactions reveal there are "no methods of prevention and/or detection of contraband entering the site" and CCTV is rarely monitored

The custodial inspector's report on Tasmania's youth custodial services was tabled in State Parliament on Thursday, with numerous sections relating to security at Ashley Detention Centre blacked out.

However, the text of the redacted sections are clearly readable through the black ink, revealing custodial inspector Richard Connock's determination that "there was very little real security in the centre, and it appeared to operate mainly on trust".

The parts of the report that were not meant to be revealed detail how there is no metal detector or screening device to identify potentially prohibited items being brought in, but that instead the centre relies on trusting visitors — including contractors or family and friends of people in the centre — to remove prohibited items and place them in lockers.

"At the time of inspection, [Ashley Youth Detention Centre] had no methods of prevention and/or detection of contraband entering the site," the report said.

It said the perimeter fence was easily accessible, and a person approaching the fence at night would only be detected within a few metres of it, "and only if staff were located in the right place at the right time".

The report noted a lack of detail surrounding the reporting of force being used on inmates. ( Supplied: Tasmanian Government )

The report said it would be easy for someone to approach the fence and throw contraband over at various spots, or to leave contraband on farm land for young people to pick up the next day.

The report revealed the perimeter fence "would not prevent young people scaling it, it would only slow any attempt to do so".

It also said CCTV cameras were rarely monitored, and were often only reviewed when an incident occurs, in contrast to procedures in other Australian detention centres, where cameras are closely or continuously monitored so that risks in areas with blind spots can be managed.

The custodial inspector identified issues with tractors and tools located in a storage shed just outside the rear of the perimeter fence, with no security devices other than locks and chains installed.

"The tractors, tools and other items stored in the shed are easily accessible to persons that may intend to unlawfully enter the centre," the report said.

It was also revealed that contractors and their vehicles were not searched when entering the detention centre, that no background checks of contractors were conducted, and there was no requirement for them to obtain police clearance.

The centre had no record of contraband that had been detected and seized, but despite that, the detention centre told the inspector that no contraband had entered the site — a fact he queried.

"How is this known if no searches for contraband are undertaken?" he is quoted in the report.

Insufficient reporting of force being used

The report included 38 recommendations for the government to address. ( ABC News )

The report also noted — in an unredacted section — that the custodial inspector reviewed a sample of reports on incidents where force was used for two months in 2017 and one in 2018.

It found:

The majority of reports did not contain sufficient detail to indicate that procedure was being followed;

The majority of reports did not contain sufficient detail to indicate that procedure was being followed; Some reports were not signed or dated;

Some reports were not signed or dated; Some files contained reports of some, but not all, staff involved;

Some files contained reports of some, but not all, staff involved; Where multiple reports about the same incident were made, some were essentially identical to the point of appearing to be a "copy and paste"; and,

Where multiple reports about the same incident were made, some were essentially identical to the point of appearing to be a "copy and paste"; and, There was no indication that plans were put in place after the use of force to address any issues arising from the event.

The report said some files did not contain any record of the use of force, even though the event appeared on the register "which is concerning".

The custodial inspector has made 38 recommendations to the Tasmanian Government to address issues identified.

'Shades of Don Dale in Tasmania'

Tasmanian Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff described the report's revelations as "shocking" and "scandalous," and said the use of force and isolation was not being properly documented.

Ms Woodruff called for an immediate investigation and the closure of Ashley.

"What it says about this government's treatment of young people in detention is truly a national scandal," she said.

"We've got no idea what's happening to young people in Ashley Youth Detention Centre because staff are copying and pasting."

Ms Woodruff made reference to the widely condemned methods used at Don Dale Correctional Facility which became the subject of a royal commission sparked by ABC reporting, culminating in Four Corners report into abuse of youth detainees in the Northern Territory.

"It really is shades of Don Dale in Tasmania. It's really concerning. We think there has to be an immediate investigation into exactly what's going on in Ashley. Ashley has to be closed," she said today.

Labor child safety spokesman Josh Willie said the report contained "serious and wide-ranging examples of flaws in the security at Ashley".

"It's important for Tasmania to have a youth justice facility that keeps both young people and the community safe, so it is vital the Government acts with urgency on the findings in the report," he said.

Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch — the minister responsible for Ashley — said he was happy with the report and welcomed scrutiny.

"I'm confident that we have the appropriate systems in place, but there's always room for improvement as standards change," he said.

He said he was not aware that any young people had scaled the perimeter fence.