A Western Australian coroner has recommended the urgent closure of Unit 18, the youth detention facility where 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd died after self-harming in his cell. Coroner Philip Urquhart described the conditions as 'inhumane' and 'reminiscent of 19th century jails', stating the facility is not fit for purpose.
Cleveland Dodd died in hospital a week after self-harming in his cell on October 12, 2023. The inquest found that for 80% of his final three months in detention, he was confined to his cell for less than two hours a day, meeting the international definition of solitary confinement. Staff shortages often kept young people locked up for up to 24 hours.
Coroner Urquhart said Cleveland's death was 'not only predictable but had been predicted' and that the Department of Justice was aware of those predictions. He made adverse findings against eight staff members, including senior officer Kyle Mead-Hunter, who was on break with lights off and feet up when the incident occurred.
Cleveland's mother, Nadene Dodd, said her son's death was the product of 'institutional abuse and neglect' and called for a fundamental shift in youth justice. The WA government has committed funds for a new facility but it will not open for three years. The coroner suggested moving young people back to the main Banksia Hill facility in the interim.
