‘Terrible tragedy’: PM mourns teen’s death in custody

[Pelican Press 0]

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‘Terrible tragedy’: PM mourns teen’s ****** in custody

An Indigenous teenager’s ****** in custody has been labelled a “terrible tragedy” by the prime minister, but the federal government will not intervene.

A 17-year-old boy was found ***** in his cell at the Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre in Perth about 10pm on Thursday, becoming the second person to lose their life in youth detention in WA in less than a year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to Premier Roger Cook about the matter.

“This is a terrible tragedy,” he told ABC radio on Monday.

“There needs to be, of course, a proper investigation.”

Mr Albanese has taken his cabinet to WA for a full ministry meeting, and Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy is expected to visit Banksia Hill on Monday.

But he confirmed his government would not step in, noting youth justice came under the purview of the states and territories.

“The Commonwealth isn’t about to take over the juvenile justice system of the states and territories,” he said.

“Canberra is a long way from WA … services historically have been best delivered by state and territory governments.”

The teenager had been taken into custody on Tuesday and was checked by staff 10 times before he was found unresponsive on the 11th occasion, according to WA Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce.

An internal investigation is underway and police a preparing a report for the coroner.

This incident follows the ****** of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd in October 2023 after he self-harmed in his cell at a Banksia Hill annexe site.

Banksia Hill has been the site of numerous riots in recent years, including an incident in May 2023 that lasted more than 12 hours and involved 47 detainees, causing an estimated $30 million damage.

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