The Western Australia state government has issued an official apology to the family of Cleveland Dodd. He tragically died at age 16, the first child to succumb while in state custody. Unit 18, a youth detention facility quickly set up within the maximum-security Casuarina Prison, is where Dodd self-harmed and subsequently died. His death becomes another dark chapter in the state’s troubled history with youth detention. That alone should be enough to raise serious concerns about how society cares for and treats the most vulnerable individuals in these facilities.
Cleveland Dodd often ended his days in a harrowing state, decaying in conditions of isolation and hours spent alone in a cell under heavy sedation. In the 86 days leading up to his death, he only spent four hours and ten minutes outside. That’s an astonishingly short period of time. This staggering fact means that children are spending less than three minutes a day outside, an alarming reality that has attracted national outrage. On the night that he died, Dodd was repeatedly requesting water. He was deprived of additional cups and confined in a cell with an uncovered video camera.
The inquest into Cleveland Dodd’s death began more than a year ago. By extension, the report highlighted a continued pattern of systemic failings across our youth detention facility. The Corrective Services Commissioner admitted that Dodd’s death should never have happened, noting several major failures in care and oversight. Tim Russell, attorney for the WA Justice Department, conceded these shortcomings. He highlighted the need for more outdoor time and access to basic necessities like water.
Systemic Failures in Youth Detention
Cleveland Dodd’s case has exposed a deeply troubling pattern about how vulnerable young people in detention are being treated. Nadene, his mother, called the conditions of her son’s death “both inhuman and illegal.” She spoke of her profound anger at the systemic failure that led to this tragedy in the first place.
“This is a failure of the system, not just one individual,” Nadene stated. “If people are not held to lawful account then justice will have been denied.” Her passionate testimony underscores the need for a systemic overhaul of our youth detention system. Together, we can ensure that what happened in 2020 doesn’t happen again.
Legal experts have chimed in on the state of affairs. Grant Donaldson SC observed that there is an ongoing staffing crisis over jails and youth detention centers in Australia. “But just blaming one person doesn’t solve the deeper problems that continue to exist,” he pointed out.
“To try and blame this on one person and to blame it on Mr Mead-Hunter does not pass the test, in our submission.” – Grant Donaldson SC
Those inquest findings reflect a dehumanizing and racially charged pattern. Dodd’s mental health needs and threats of self-harm were not sufficiently addressed. In light of his clear emotional volatility, Donnie’s warnings should have led staff to a more serious intervention. Instead, they worsened his unstable situation.
The Impact of Solitary Confinement
Cleveland Dodd’s conditions of detention may amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. This case calls attention to the abusive practice of solitary confinement among youth. As advocates and experts have long warned, these practices are especially dangerous for people with disabilities or mental health issues. Solicitor Julian McMahon underlined the horror of a young child being subjected to such isolation. Unfortunately, this isolation happens during a very formative time in his life.
“We mustn’t become immune to the horror of that concept, that a boy with some disability, with serious difficulties, was actually in solitary confinement for the last few months of his life.” – Julian McMahon
Dodd’s case has shed light on systemic issues within the youth justice system. The most vulnerable adults and children still miss out on the care they’re living without and urgently need. As the demand for reform continues to echo across the country, the urgency to address these systemic shortcomings has never been more apparent.
Moving Forward with Recommendations
In recognition of Cleveland Dodd’s terrible death, Counsel Assisting has made recommendations to help prevent this from happening again. These recommendations highlight the need for immediate reforms to the Department that oversees youth detention. That call for change illustrates an important acknowledgment, namely that current practices fail to adequately protect young detainees.
Now the WA government is experiencing the consequences of its own shortcomings and failures in Dodd’s care. Advocacy organizations and the public are applying maximum pressure to ensure that meaningful change happens. As sincere as it is, the apology made to Dodd’s family is only a crucial starting point. It is only the first step in addressing the much larger issues.
