An inquest into the death of Indigenous teen Cleveland Dodd has uncovered dire conditions in a Perth prison prior to his passing.

Testimony from a nurse exposed a severe shortage of clinical treatment spaces and detainees confined to cells lacking basic amenities.

Youth detainees were subjected to over 22 hours daily in cells without running water, in environments described as dirty and uninhabitable.

Prison staff were overwhelmed, with high turnover, and senior officers failed to effectively address security breaches like obscured cell cameras.

The case of Cleveland Dodd accentuates the critical need for reform in the treatment and support of young individuals in correctional facilities.