WARNING: This story contains the name of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
After fierce community advocacy, the Western Australian government has announced it will close the youth detention unit at Casuarina Prison.
WA Premier Roger Cook announced the closure of the controversial Unit 18, but added that it would be replaced by a specialised unit at Perth's Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre.
"A new high-security, custom-built detention centre will allow the state's most complex juvenile detainees to receive the therapeutic care and intervention needed," he said.
Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison will close. Source: AAP / Aaron Bunch/AAP Image
Mr Cook said this was his government "turning around" the state's youth justice system.
The commitment to a new unit was in response to the findings of the state's Youth Justice Infrastructure Review that determined Banksia Hill couldn't safely and securely house those currently detained at Casuarina Prison's Unit 18.
The review recommended a two-site model, which will enable a high level of support to former Unit 18 inmates.
“The Youth Justice Infrastructure Review identified the need for a purpose-built facility to house a small cohort of challenging and disruptive juvenile detainees," said Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia.
"Planned to be located adjacent to Banksia Hill Detention Centre, it will allow for a multi-tiered strategic response and easy access to shared services."
There are plans to fund staff training at Banksia Hill and Unit 18 for Youth Custodial Officers, Aboriginal Health and Services Officers and non-operational staff, along with programs and services such as Aboriginal health services and foetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD) training.
Funding has been allocated for a detailed planning and business case to determine the location, cost and timeframe of the project. However, no opening date has been confirmed.
The Premier's announcement comes after the death of a 16-year-old inmate of Unit 18 last month.
Cleveland Dodd was found unresponsive in his cell after a suspected self-harm incident in the early hours of October 12.
He was taken Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth in a critical condition but died shortly after.
