The follow-up report to the 2023 inspection of Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre and Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison has found ‘green shoots’ of progress, but systematic reforms are still needed.
Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre is located in Canning Vale and houses young people in custody.
Released by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) last month, the report focused on access to services and welfare supports for young people in custody, as well as the facilities’ challenges and progress since February 2023.
The report noted that while there has been some valuable improvement across several areas at Banksia Hill and Unit 18 since the 2023 inspection, progress in certain areas was expected to be further along.
Eamon Ryan, the Inspector of Custodial Services, noted that there had been improvements in young people’s time spent out of their cells, as well as increased access to education, programs, and activities. However, he remains cautious, as it is still early days.
“We are pleased there has been tangible progress in various areas,” Ryan said.
“However, what we have also seen since our last inspection is the very lowest and most tragic point for Youth Custodial Services with two young men tragically taking their lives.”
“Urgent, meaningful, and enduring reform to the youth justice system must occur, and every Western Australian has a responsibility to ensure this happens.”
In August last year, a 17-year-old Indigenous Australian died while in custody at Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre.
The recent report makes a further nine recommendations to improve Youth Justice Services.
These include reimagining and establishing a youth care role separate from youth custodial officers and reconsidering the location for the construction of the Crisis Care Unit.
The report’s findings were lodged with State Parliament on November 18 2024; a response from the Department of Justice was not received until December 10 2024.
“I am pleased to see the Department was generally supportive of the report and its recommendations, particularly expanding the Model of Care to include Unit 18,” Ryan said.
“However, I am disappointed the Department has not supported establishing a youth care role separate to custodial staff.”
Director General of the Department of Justice, Kylie Maj, believes there has been significant improvement in how the Department manages vulnerable and at-risk young people.
“We are committed to delivering culturally responsive, therapeutic and trauma-informed care, as well as education and other opportunities, to the young people in Banksia Hill and Unit 18,” Maj said.
“The Health Department’s multidisciplinary Youth Detention Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service has also developed a screening program to support the identification and management of mental health risk among young people.”
According to Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce, more than 100 new Youth Custodial Officers were appointed in 2024, helping to stabilise the youth estate.
“Since OICS’ 2023 inspection, there has been an increase in vocational training programs offered with numerous accredited courses now available to detainees including civil construction, hospitality and other job-ready skills to help prepare them for employment once released,” Royce said
“In addition, significant progress has been made in non-custodial areas, such as education, health and treatment programs to help address young people’s offending behaviours and steer them away from the justice system.”
During an inquest into the death of Cleveland Dodd, who was found unresponsive in the notorious Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison on October 12, 2023, Coroner Philip Urquhart recommended removing the Justice Department’s oversight of young people in custody.
The case is set to return to court in June for closing submissions before the coroner’s final findings and recommendations are made.
