Banksia Hill Detention Centre: Reported conditions labelled “absolutely disgraceful” by South West magistrate

A South West magistrate has lambasted the reported conditions at the State’s sole juvenile detention centre as “absolutely disgraceful” after a teenager who previously spoke out about the conditions made claims nothing had changed upon his return there. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, appeared in Bunbury Children’s Court where he pleaded guilty to a range of offences including criminal damage by fire, stealing a motor vehicle, criminal damage, aggravated home burglary, stealing and attempting to steal a motor vehicle. The offences took place in the Eaton and Usher areas between February 14 and 15, only a few months after the teenager was released from Banksia Hill on a three-month intensive supervision order for similar offending. But before sentencing on the new charges could take place, the teenager’s lawyer Derek Hunter told the court he was once again instructed by his client that the boy was being locked in his cell for 20-22 hours per day and only being let out for one or two hours since he returned to the Canning Vale facility on February 17. When asked by Magistrate Linda Keane if reports of COVID-19 cases emerging inside the juvenile facility was a factor, Mr Hunter told the court the extensive lockdowns had been taking place for quite some time and no support or programs were taking place. “It’s effectively traumatising (my client),” Mr Hunter said. At the time of the boy’s previous sentencing hearings in December, Mr Hunter informed the court of the alleged extensive lockdowns taking place at Banksia Hill, along with the absence of support and educational programs taking place within the facility - the State’s sole juvenile detention centre for offenders aged 10 to 17. A detention management report that was prepared at the time acknowledged the boy’s limited time outside of his cell, noting that children inside the facility typically got up to 10 hours each day outside their cells to be able to take part in general recreation and programs. A spokesperson for Youth Justice also acknowledged the significant periods of time in custody, citing staffing issues as a factor in the lack of available programs for children inside Banksia Hill. They also told the court Children’s Court president Judge Hylton Quail was due to have a meeting with Banksia Hill superintendent Michael Heslington to discuss those issues. Magistrate Keane said the reported conditions at Banksia Hill was an “absolutely disgraceful situation” and it was “not surprising” that the boy had ended up back inside the facility for similar offending. A further detention management report was ordered, along with several others before the boy’s matters were adjourned to March 25 for sentencing. The teenager was remanded in custody.