A Teenager’s Death Highlights Ongoing Failures in Youth Detention
A 17-year-old boy has died by suicide at Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre in Western Australia, marking the second death in custody in less than a year. The boy, who had been at the centre for just two days, was found unresponsive after being checked by staff multiple times. Despite efforts to revive him, he could not be saved.
This incident follows the death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd last year, who took his own life in another WA youth facility. The deaths have sparked criticism of WA’s youth justice system, which many say is failing its most vulnerable children.
Recent reports, including one from the National Children’s Commissioner, have condemned the punitive conditions in youth detention centers, arguing they criminalize disadvantaged young people rather than provide care.
Premier Roger Cook admitted that “a failure has taken place” but defended the current administration’s management of juvenile detention. Critics, including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission, are calling for urgent reform to address systemic issues and prevent further tragedies.
Source abc.net