western Australia Youth Detention: Coroner Finds Cleveland Dodd’s Death Was Predictable
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A coroner’s inquest has found the 2023 death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd while in youth detention in Western Australia was predictable, stemming from “inhumane” conditions and a system reminiscent of 19th-century jails. The findings underscore a critical failure in the care of vulnerable young people and have ignited calls for urgent reform.
Cleveland Dodd tragically died in hospital a week after self-harming inside his cell at Unit 18, a facility repeatedly described during the inquest as a place of despair and systemic neglect. The case has brought renewed scrutiny to the treatment of Indigenous youth within the Western Australian justice system.
Unit 18: A “War Zone” of Solitary Confinement
During the inquest,harrowing testimony painted a picture of Unit 18 as a deeply troubled facility. witnesses compared it to a “war zone,” citing chronic staff shortages that led to young detainees being locked in their cells for up to 24 hours a day. Coroner philip Urquhart highlighted that for approximately 80% of Cleveland Dodd’s final three months in detention,he was confined to his cell for less than two hours daily – a practice that meets the international definition of solitary confinement.
“These numbers were deeply disturbing to hear,” Urquhart stated, adding that the conditions were “reminiscent of 19th century jails.” He further emphasized the profound psychological impact of such isolation, stating, “It is indeed arduous to comprehend the despair and despondency Cleveland would have felt living in these appalling conditions.”
The coroner noted that Dodd had threatened self-harm on the nights of October 11th and 12th, 2023, before ultimately taking the tragic action that led to his death in the early hours of October 12th.
Urgent Closure of Unit 18 Recommended
A central proposal from the inquest is the immediate closure of Unit 18, deemed unfit to house the state’s most vulnerable young people. Urquhart specifically stated the facility is unsuitable for detainees with severe neurocognitive disorders. Despite acknowledging improvements made since Dodd’s death, the coroner maintained that unit 18 remains fundamentally flawed.
The Western Australian government has resisted calls for an immediate closure, citing the need for a replacement facility. Funding for a new youth detention centre was committed last month, but its completion is not anticipated for another three years. In the interim, the coroner suggested a trial relocation of detainees back to the main facility at Banksia hill.
New Facility and Ongoing Concerns
The planned new youth detention center is being touted by the government as “world leading,” with a further $147 million pledged towards its construction. Though, the three-year timeline for completion raises concerns about the continued use of Unit 18 and the immediate well-being of young detainees.
Urquhart concluded that the evidence presented during the inquest was the most harrowing he had encountered in his career. “The harrowing evidence I heard as to how Unit 18 was operating in the months before Cleveland’s death has made this inquest the saddest I have presided over,” he told the court. “As a community, we must do better.”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change within the Western Australian youth justice system, prioritizing the safety, dignity, and well-being of its most vulnerable members.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- Beyond blue on 1300 224 636
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- ReachOut at au.reachout.com
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
