The family of teenager Cleveland Dodd,who died after self-harming in a WA prison,have launched a public appeal for his father’s early release from jail as the inquest into Cleveland’s death looms.
The 16-year-old’s life support was switched off on October 19,one week after he was found unconscious in his cell at the of Casuarina Prison — making him the first juvenile to die in custody.
Cleveland Dodd and his father Wayne Gentle.Supplied.
Dozens of family members have travelled hundreds of kilometres from across regional Western Australia to Perth to attend the expedited coronial inquest,which will run from April 3 to 12 before reconvening for three weeks between July and August.
But Cleveland’s father,Wayne Gentle,will be absent,remaining behind bars at Geraldton’s Greenough Prison until June after being convicted of several offences,including three charges of assaulting a public officer.
Gentle’s family is now asking for him to be released two months early on compassionate grounds to attend the probe.
Gentle’s sister Bonnie Mippy said her brother was heartbroken by the death of his son and was desperately seeking answers.
“That[Cleveland] is his one and only baby — he is heartbroken and he wants to be there,” she said.
“We just want justice for what happened to him,and we want to know the truth.
“I hope … I beg that they will let my brother come to court because he needs to be there to get answers.”
Mippy said the family had been let down by the system and the state government and said the ultimate goal was to see Western Australia’s youth justice system overhauled.
The bid is being supported by,who said Gentle had applied to the Prisoners Review Board for compassionate release.
He said it was extraordinary Gentle had not heard from the board,fearing it would now be too late for him to attend the April hearings.
Georgatos said a fresh appeal had been launched late last week in a last-ditch bid to have him attend.
“Wayne has lost a son,allegedly,to suicide;and in 2021 lost his partner,Pamela,to suicide,” he said.
“There must be some common decency and an imminent release of Wayne.
“Due to the prevailing circumstances,the goodwill release of Wayne will serve everyone best.
“The families’ yearning,pining for the whole truth – contexts,accountability,transparency,and acceptable justice – are burning hot.”
The push comes four months after Corrective Services,WA Police and Cleveland’s family reached an to allow Gentle to attend Cleveland’s funeral after rejecting the bid for “safety and security” reasons.
News of that rejection had distressed hundreds of family members who had gathered for the morning service,many of whom walked to the police station and stood outside in protest.
The inquest comes after an surrounding the 16-year-old’s death uncovered a myriad of systematic failures,from revelations staff were watching movies while he took his own life,to shock evidence they had faked welfare check logs.
The report led to Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia vowing to close Unit 18 as soon as a suitable replacement could be found.
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