Australia releases detained children

Australia yesterday abandoned one of the most criticized aspects of its immigration policy by releasing dozens of children from detention, while a Federal Court ruling left the way open for more than 1,000 asylum-seekers to escape deportation.
Facing a backbench revolt over its immigration policy, the conservative government of Prime Minister John Howard announced last month that children, and long-term detainees who could not be returned to their country of origin, would be released from immigration detention centers.

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said 21 children were leaving Sydney's Villawood detention center yesterday and the remaining minors in custody would be free within 48 hours.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/07/29/2003265500

A few months back reports told of children being in prison for their entire life. (Five years or so?) The children clearly developed psychological problems.