Wed Sep 11 09:45:15 UTC 2024: ## WA Minister Corrects Claims About Youth Detention Conditions, Facing Scrutiny After Teen’s Death
**Perth, Australia** – The Western Australian government is facing renewed scrutiny over conditions in its youth detention facilities after the Corrective Services Minister, Paul Papalia, was forced to retract statements he made about the state of Banksia Hill Detention Centre and Unit 18, a high-security facility within Casuarina Adult Prison.
Papalia initially claimed in parliament that Judge Hylton Quail, President of the Children’s Court, had informed magistrates that conditions at Banksia Hill were not a reason to avoid incarcerating juveniles there. He later made similar claims about Unit 18, where young offenders deemed too dangerous for Banksia Hill are held. However, Judge Quail released a public statement strongly refuting Papalia’s claims, stating that he had never provided such instructions to magistrates.
Judge Quail’s statement comes after the tragic death of 17-year-old teenager who took his own life at Banksia Hill last month. This follows the 2022 death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd, who fatally self-harmed in Unit 18. A coroner’s inquest into Dodd’s death revealed that some young people in detention were subjected to “institutional abuse” by being locked in their cells for up to 20 hours a day.
Following Judge Quail’s statement, Papalia retracted his initial statements, admitting he may have misrepresented the judge’s comments. He further stated that magistrates had not been discounting sentences at Banksia Hill due to conditions there.
However, Judge Quail emphasized that conditions in juvenile detention are a significant factor considered by the court, pointing to the legal requirement for the Children’s Court to consider detention conditions when dealing with young people in custody or at risk of entering custody.
The ongoing controversy has led to a crisis meeting with national human rights, Indigenous social justice and children’s commissioners, including WA Premier Roger Cook, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce, and representatives from the WA Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Attendees called for the immediate closure of Unit 18 and a greater focus on addressing the underlying reasons for youth crime. They highlighted the urgent need for appropriate prevention and early intervention programs to stop children from entering the justice system.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the WA government in addressing the complex issues of youth crime and the conditions within juvenile detention facilities. The pressure is mounting for tangible action and reform to ensure the safety and well-being of young people in custody.
First Piper 