Systemic failures in “inhumane” youth detention facility leads to death of indigenous child, says WA Coroner
A WA Coroner has delivered damning findings into the 2023 death of 16 year old Cleveland Dodd, an Indigenous teenager who died while detained in a youth wing of an adult prison.
Coronial Findings
Coroner Philip Urquhart concluded that long-standing systemic failures in the justice and youth detention system were central to Cleveland’s death. The coroner described the conditions at Unit 18, a youth detention unit within Casuarina Prison, as “inhumane” and “reminiscent of 19th century jails.”
Cleveland was held in the unit for around 87 days. During much of that time, he was confined to his cell for more than 22 hours a day, meeting the international definition of solitary confinement — a practice strongly criticised as harmful, especially for young people.
The coroner found that Cleveland:
repeatedly requested psychological help that was not provided;
was denied basic needs including water on occasions;
had CCTV cameras in his cell covered, limiting monitoring;
had known ligature points in the cell that were not addressed;
was removed from the “at-risk” monitoring list before his final self-harm attempt.
These conditions and systemic shortcomings were described in coronial findings as predictable and preventable factors contributing to his death.
Recommendations and Immediate Calls for Action
Coroner Urquhart made 19 recommendations, including:
Urgent closure of Unit 18 as a youth detention centre;
A special inquiry into how the unit was established;
Improved mental health support, staffing and training;
Mandatory minimum out-of-cell time; and
A forum to reconsider how youth justice is managed in WA.
These recommendations reflect a broader call for systemic reform of youth justice and detention practices in Western Australia.
Family and Community Impact
Cleveland’s mother, Nadene Dodd, expressed profound anguish and frustration, stating that her son was not treated humanely and that institutional neglect contributed to his despair and death. Supporters and advocacy groups have echoed concerns about wider systemic issues, including the treatment of Indigenous children in detention.
Responses from Authorities and Rights Groups
While the WA government has defended recent improvements in conditions and training, it has not agreed to all coroner’s recommendations, including the immediate closure of Unit 18, citing a lack of alternative facilities.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for urgent action, including:
closure of Unit 18;
legislative bans on solitary confinement for children; and
implementation of broader custodial and youth justice reforms.
Why This Matters
Cleveland’s death highlights ongoing challenges in youth justice, particularly the treatment of vulnerable and Indigenous young people in custody. It raises urgent questions about:
whether adult-style detention environments are appropriate for children;
the adequacy of mental health care and supervision in detention;
and how governments implement safeguards to prevent deaths in custody.
For legal practitioners, policymakers and communities alike, the coronial findings underscore the critical need for legislative and systemic reforms to ensure that youth detention systems protect — not harm — those in their care.
This article has been made with the assistance of AI based off the following sources: The Guardian, ABC, Australian Human Rights Commission, NIT