UPDATE: The controversial youth detention facility, Unit 18, at Casuarina Prison will remain operational for an additional three years as the Western Australian government embarks on the construction of a new $147 million facility. Announced just moments ago by Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia and Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce, the new establishment aims to better serve the state’s most troubled youth detainees.
The official designs for the replacement facility, which will be built next to Banksia Hill, were unveiled today. The government plans to release the tender for construction as early as next week, though Papalia confirmed that the new facility is unlikely to open before 2028. This means that Unit 18 will continue to house detainees until the new site is ready.
Unit 18 was converted from a men’s wing into a youth detention center in 2022 to alleviate issues at Banksia Hill. However, the unit has faced ongoing challenges, culminating in a tragic incident involving 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd, who self-harmed in his cell and died a week later. Dodd’s death marked the first child fatality in youth detention in WA, igniting urgent calls for the facility’s closure.
In light of these concerns, Minister Papalia acknowledged the facility’s shortcomings, stating, “Until the new facility opens, Unit 18 is the best place we have for them. It’s regrettable that it’s not purpose-designed, but it is the best place we have for them.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to closing Unit 18 once the new facility is complete, emphasizing the complexity of the project.
The community and advocacy groups continue to express their discontent with the decision to keep Unit 18 open for three more years. Many are demanding immediate action to address the safety and well-being of youth detainees, especially following the devastating impact of Dodd’s death.
As the government prepares to move forward with the new facility, critical attention will remain on the conditions within Unit 18 and the ongoing challenges facing youth justice in Western Australia. The urgency of this situation calls for continued public scrutiny and advocacy for the welfare of young detainees.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds and as the government releases more details about the construction timeline and the future of youth detention in WA.
