Funding approved to replace notorious detention centre

The WA Government has committed $147 million to fully fund construction of a new youth detention facility in Perth, to replace the controversial Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison.

The purpose-built facility alongside Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Canning Vale will provide therapeutic support and a secure environment.

The tender for the major construction work is set to open shortly. Once completed, the new facility will replace Unit 18, which currently accommodates high-risk young people who cannot be safely housed at Banksia Hill.

The unit was meant to be a temporary measure after it was converted for juveniles in 2022.

Call to close unit

In October 2023 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd died in hospital after self harming inside his cell.

The coroner investigating the death called for the closure of the unit.

Unit 18 will remain open for youth detainees while the new facility was being built.

“It is not appropriate that a cell block in a maximum security adult prison should be used long term as a youth detention facility,” Mr Urquhart said at the time.

Specialised report

The funding for the new facility comes on top of $268 million invested in youth detention since mid-2022 to improve facilities, services, staffing and outcomes.

A $29.1 million eight-bed Crisis Care Unit at Banksia Hill is also nearing completion, providing specialised support for young people experiencing mental health crises.

“WA is now one of only three jurisdictions improving against the national Closing the Gap target for a 30 per cent reduction in the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention by 2031,” Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia said.

The prison is expected to be completed in 2028.