WARNING: This statement discusses incidents of self-harm and contains the name of an Aboriginal child who has died.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has again called for the immediate closure of Western Australia's Unit 18 youth detention facility, and a legislative ban on solitary confinement for children across Australia, following the coronial findings into the death of Aboriginal teenager Cleveland Dodd.
Cleveland Dodd, 16, died in October 2023, one week after self-harming in his cell at Unit 18 - a youth wing of the Casuarina high-security adult prison south of Perth. He was the first and youngest child to die in custody in Western Australia, while his death is one of approximately 18 child deaths in custody nationally.
Coroner Phil Urquhart found Cleveland's care was 'inhumane' and 'reminiscent of 19th century jails.' He made 19 recommendations, which includes Unit 18's urgent closure, a special inquiry into how it was established and restrictions on solitary confinement for children.
While the coroner recommended minimum out-of-cell time, this falls short of a full legislative ban on solitary confinement. The Commission calls on the WA Government to go further and immediately legislate a ban on solitary confinement for children in the state.
Katie Kiss, Social Justice Commissioner:
'The Coroner found that Cleveland's tragic death was entirely preventable. It is deeply concerning that Unit 18 remains open despite earlier recommendations to close it. Every day it operates within an adult prison environment is another day of unacceptable risk for vulnerable children.
'This tragedy further underscores the urgent need for widespread reform – not just closing Unit 18, but implementing the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommendations, establishing independent investigatory measures, and investing in systemic reforms that prevent children entering the justice system in the first place.
'Cleveland's mother has called for these findings to prevent further child deaths in harmful systems. Accountability and meaningful reform are essential. The Commission stands ready to work with the state to ensure its response is timely, transparent and sets a benchmark for all Australian governments to follow.
'I will also continue to work closely with my colleagues at the Human Rights Commission and other leading advocates, including the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, to drive these reforms and ensure the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are protected.'
Hugh de Kretser, Human Rights Commission President:
'The Coroner rightly described the solitary confinement of Cleveland Dodd as inhumane. Yet this practice is happening across Australia. The agreed international definition of solitary confinement is confinement for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact.
'Solitary confinement is cruel, inhumane, harmful and completely unnecessary. It is particularly harmful for children and more so for children with psychosocial disabilities. The solitary confinement of children is banned under international human rights law. Australian governments must act to pass laws to ban the solitary confinement of children. Only Victoria has done this so far.'
Deb Tsorbaris, National Children's Commissioner:
'Children belong in safe, supportive environments – not locked in cells for up to 23 hours a day. Cleveland's experience shows how locking children up fails children, families and communities. The evidence is clear: locking kids up is not the answer.
'Yet we continue to invest in prison-like facilities and allow practices like solitary confinement that are unnecessary and harmful. We know what works: prevention, early intervention and therapeutic, community-based approaches that keep children connected to family and culture.
'We must prioritise wellbeing, rehabilitation and hope, not isolation and despair.'
Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner:
'No child should ever be subjected to solitary confinement. Cleveland Dodd spent 85 per cent of his last 87 days in conditions amounting to solitary confinement – a practice the coroner rightly described as 'not only entirely inappropriate but inhumane'. The practice must end immediately across Australia.
'The WA Government must act now to close Unit 18 and fully implement the Coroner's recommendations. We also renew our call for every state and territory to ban solitary confinement for children. Reform is not only essential – it is long overdue.'
