Warning:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names of people who have died.
In state news,the heartbroken family of WA’s first juvenile to die in youth detention hope an inquest will lead to an overhaul of the justice system.
Cleveland Dodd,16,was found unresponsive after harming himself inside his cell in a troubled youth wing of a high-security adult prison in the early hours of October 12,2023.
The Indigenous teen was taken to hospital in a critical condition where he later died,causing outrage and grief in the community.
His mother,Nadene Dodd,told media at a pre-inquest media conference today that her family was “still reeling from the loss of my son”.
“The months since Cleveland’s passing have been fraught with grief,” she said in a statement read by lawyer Dana Levitt.
“With each new detail that comes to light about the night he died or about Unit 18 generally,I become more determined to get justice for Cleveland,and for all the other boys sent there.
“Children do not belong in adult prisons.”
Dodd said the Department of Justice should have kept her son safe and “not let him die on their watch”.
“My boy’s cries for help fell on deaf ears.”
WA Premier Roger Cook said he had been in contact with the Dodd family’s advocates and discussed their concerns.
“This is a really horrible time for them,” he said.
“They are revisiting trauma and traumatic emotions,the grieving process for them continues,and our hearts go out to them.”
The first part of an expedited coronial inquest in Perth into Cleveland’s death starts tomorrow and runs until April 12.
AAP