The long-running coronial inquest into the death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd has ended with a stark rebuke of Western Australia’s youth justice system and intensified calls for systemic reform.
Coroner Philip Urquhart described the care of Dodd, who died in 2023 after self-harm while detained in Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison, as “inhumane” and akin to 19th-century incarceration. Over his final three months, Dodd spent the majority of his time in near-solitary confinement, often locked in his cell for over 22 hours a day.
Urquhart made 19 recommendations in his report, including the urgent closure of Unit 18, improved mental health services, better staff training, and a special inquiry into the facility’s creation. The coroner warned that “tinkering at the edges” is insufficient, calling for a “complete reset” of how children are treated in the justice system.
The Law Society of Western Australia has advocated for youth justice change for more than 20 years, reaffirming its position in its State Election Campaign 2025. The Society has been calling for a holistic approach that addresses underlying causes of offending, including trauma, mental health issues, educational disengagement and systemic disadvantage. The Society has consistently argued that Unit 18 is not fit for purpose and should be closed, warning that “children are dying in youth detention. This cannot continue”.
The Society also continues to call for an independent review of WA’s youth justice system – a key priority in its election advocacy – to ensure decision-making is informed by evidence, trauma-informed care, cultural safety and human-rights obligations. This aligns with longstanding LSWA aims to invest in early intervention strategies and focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Though the WA Government is planning a new youth facility expected to open in 2028, critics argue closure of Unit 18 cannot wait. Advocates, including the Law Society and Cleveland Dodd’s family, are urging faster interim reforms and sustained investment in culturally safe, trauma-informed care for young detainees, especially First Nations children who are disproportionately represented in the system.
