Work begins to replace ‘inhumane’ youth detention site

A troubled youth detention facility where a teenage boy fatally harmed himself after being held in “inhumane” conditions is set to be replaced.

Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia says early work has begun on a new $158 million facility to house Western Australia’s highest-risk youth offenders.

“This is a purpose-designed, purpose-planned facility that will house the most complex, challenging and often violent juvenile detainees we encounter in the state,” he told reporters on Friday.

“It is essentially a mental health forensic facility for youth.”

The facility, which is touted as “world class”, is expected to be completed within 3 years and have a capacity of 30 beds.

It will be built in Perth’s southern suburbs, adjacent to WA’s other youth detention centre, Banksia Hill, which was significantly damaged by the 2023 riot.

WA’s highest-risk young offenders are currently being held in the youth wing of a high-security adult prison called Unit 18 in Perth’s southern suburbs.

The facility has been under the spotlight since 16-year-old inmate Cleveland Dodd fatally injured himself in his cell in late 2023.

The ongoing investigation into his death has uncovered evidence that he was held in “inhumane” solitary confinement for more than 22 hours a day.

Adam Tomison, the former director general of the Department of Justice, acknowledged while testifying that Cleveland’s treatment was cruel, inhumane and degrading.

Coroner Philip Urquhart was also harshly critical of the situation when he presented his preliminary findings in July, saying he could recommend the closure of Unit 18.

Mr. Papalia said Unit 18 had “changed greatly since the tragic loss of Cleveland.”

“An incredible amount of work has been done,” he said.

He said operational practices, infrastructure and training for staff had been improved.

Unit 18 will be closed once the new facility is operational and detainees currently held there are transferred there.

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