Coroner to Reveal Findings on Death of 16-Year-Old in Custody
UPDATE: The coroner is set to release shocking findings on the death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd at 9:15 AM on October 23, 2023, after he died in custody at a youth detention facility in Perth. Cleveland, a vulnerable Yamatji boy, spent a week on life support following a tragic self-harm incident, marking a grim milestone as Western Australia’s first recorded death in youth detention.
Cleveland’s death, which occurred on October 19, has sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about the state’s ability to protect its children in custody. Over the course of his 86 days in detention, Cleveland was kept isolated in his cell for nearly all hours, a situation that has drawn criticism from child welfare advocates and officials alike.
Just after midnight on October 12, Cleveland expressed suicidal intentions to staff eight times via intercom, only to be dismissed. This alarming pattern of neglect culminated in him being found unresponsive a short time later. The circumstances surrounding his death have become a symbol of systemic failure within the WA justice system.
Coroner Philip Urquhart is expected to answer the pivotal question: How could this child die in state care? During preliminary hearings, Urquhart described Unit 18 as a “war zone,” lacking essential safeguards for youth detainees, including adequate supervision and mental health support. His comments come in light of a crisis in youth justice in WA, which has persisted for years.
Earlier this year, Judge Denis Reynolds condemned the WA Department of Justice as “incompetent,” citing a lack of political will to reform harmful practices. The inquest revealed alarming conditions, with children routinely subjected to solitary confinement and inadequate care. Detainees, some of whom are among the most vulnerable, faced a daily existence of confinement that was likened to “institutional abuse.”
The inquest, which has involved over 40 days of hearings and extensive evidence, has prompted Cleveland’s mother, Nadine Dodd, to demand immediate changes. She has called for the closure of Unit 18 and an end to the inhumane treatment of children in custody. “My son is dead, and everyone at fault needs to admit their wrong,” she stated, emphasizing the need for investment in support systems rather than punitive measures.
The WA Government has acknowledged previous failings but has resisted calls to close Unit 18 immediately, arguing that it remains necessary until a new facility can be established. As Cleveland’s story continues to resonate, the upcoming findings from Coroner Urquhart could be pivotal in shaping the future of youth justice in Western Australia.
As the community awaits the coroner’s report, one critical question looms: if the tragic death of a child cannot prompt immediate reform, what will? The findings will be closely monitored, and further actions are anticipated in the wake of this devastating loss.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
