Western Australian government has allocated $100 million for the construction of a new maximum-security detention facility designed specifically for high-risk youth detainees.
This new facility will replace the controversial Unit 18, which has been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism due to its inadequate conditions and safety concerns.
The new detention centre is being hailed as “the best of its kind in the world” by Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia, emphasizing its state-of-the-art design and tailored approach to rehabilitating troubled youth.
“Some of the buildings in Banksia Hill have literally been chipped apart, and they’ve taken bricks out of the wall and climbed above public spaces and attacked staff,” he said.
“This won’t be possible.”
Despite the substantial investment and ambitious plans, there’s no detailed timeline or completion date.
It means that Unit 18, where 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd took his life, will remain operational for the foreseeable future.
Children and Young People Commissioner Jacqueline McGowan-Jones stressed the need for immediate action.
The new facility, to be located adjacent to Banksia Hill, will have a capacity of up to 30 beds. Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce highlighted the significance of the project, emphasizing that it presents a unique opportunity in 30 years to construct a purpose-built facility for youth rehabilitation.
Opposition Corrective Services spokesman Peter Collier doesn’t share the government’s optimism.
“You do not need two and a half years to build a secure facility for 20 juveniles,” he said.
He further condemned Unit 18 as “a despicable unit” that should have been closed immediately after its opening.
A mother of a former Unit 18 inmate welcomed the therapeutic approach of the new detention center but said, “I feel sick that Unit 18 will remain open”.
Papalia defended the decision to keep Unit 18 operational, arguing that there is no viable alternative and that closing it would only exacerbate problems at Banksia Hill.
The Western Australian government has allocated $100 million for the construction of a new maximum-security detention facility for high-risk youth detainees. This state-of-the-art facility will replace the controversial Unit 18, addressing safety concerns. Minister Paul Papalia describes it as the best in the world, emphasizing its focus on rehabilitating troubled youth.
Despite the lack of a detailed timeline, the new center, adjacent to Banksia Hill, will have up to 30 beds. However, criticism from opposition spokesman Peter Collier highlights doubts about the project timeline. While some welcome the therapeutic approach of the new facility, concerns remain about the continued operation of Unit 18.
The unique design of the facility presents a significant opportunity for youth rehabilitation, but Commissioner Jacqueline McGowan-Jones stresses the need for urgency. Papalia defends the decision to keep Unit 18 operational, citing its necessity to mitigate issues at Banksia Hill. The future of youth detention in Western Australia remains a topic of debate and concern.
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