This new year, send a reminder to your local MP to put youth justice reform at the top of their priorities.
Right now, the WA Government holds children inside a maximum-security adult prison – a wing called ‘Unit 18’.
And in October 2023, a child inside Unit 18 died by self-harm. His name was Cleveland Dodd. He was only 16-years old.
Then in August last year, we learned the tragic news a second child had died – this time in Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
For close to 40 days, 31 witness and 4 tranches, Cleveland Dodd’s inquest investigated the circumstances of his death, the quality of his care and the causal systemic factors. It has heard endless stories of children enduring solitary confinement. Of false information provided about the safety of Unit 18. Of a toxic culture and traumatised staff. Of ‘systems abuse’ of children and ‘cruel, inhuman, and degrading’ treatment of children.
The Coroner handed down a list of his provisional recommendations. One called for the closure of Unit 18 as a matter of urgency.
We need to seize this win and send a message to decision-makers to act.
The children inside detention can’t wait.
We need your support to demand that Unit 18 closes immediately and the WA government commits to a total overhaul of the youth justice system.
In the powerful words of Nadene Dodd, In his memory, I must remain stalwart to change, to a kinder world, and solid in pursuit of justice, even in the strongest winds.
This new year, send a reminder to your local MP to put youth justice reform at the top of their priorities.
Right now, the WA Government holds children inside a maximum-security adult prison – a wing called ‘Unit 18’.
And in October 2023, a child inside Unit 18 died by self-harm. His name was Cleveland Dodd. He was only 16-years old.
Then in August last year, we learned the tragic news a second child had died – this time in Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
For close to 40 days, 31 witness and 4 tranches, Cleveland Dodd’s inquest investigated the circumstances of his death, the quality of his care and the causal systemic factors. It has heard endless stories of children enduring solitary confinement. Of false information provided about the safety of Unit 18. Of a toxic culture and traumatised staff. Of ‘systems abuse’ of children and ‘cruel, inhuman, and degrading’ treatment of children.
The Coroner handed down a list of his provisional recommendations. One called for the closure of Unit 18 as a matter of urgency.
We need to seize this win and send a message to decision-makers to act.
The children inside detention can’t wait.
We need your support to demand that Unit 18 closes immediately and the WA government commits to a total overhaul of the youth justice system.
In the powerful words of Nadene Dodd, In his memory, I must remain stalwart to change, to a kinder world, and solid in pursuit of justice, even in the strongest winds.