Ex-Justice Chief Breaks Down as Inquest Reveals Abuse Leading to Indigenous Teen's Tragic Death in Prison
July 26, 2024Cleveland Dodd, a 16-year-old Indigenous teenager, was found unresponsive in a cell at Casuarina Prison and later died from self-harm.
Prior to his death, Cleveland had displayed self-harm threats and requests for medical attention, and staff found him in cardiac arrest after he covered a CCTV camera in his cell.
Despite efforts to revive him, Cleveland suffered a brain injury due to oxygen deprivation and passed away a week later in the hospital.
Cleveland Dodd self-harmed fatally at Unit 18 in Casuarina Prison, where many detainees were also confined to their cells for extended periods.
Detainees at Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre were subjected to up to 23 hours of solitary confinement, deemed as cruel and inhumane treatment, leading to institutional abuse of children.
Former Justice Department boss, Adam Tomison, revealed youth detainees under his watch faced abuse during an inquest into a juvenile death in Western Australia.
The inquest highlighted systemic failures in the treatment of youth detainees, with ongoing proceedings to address the circumstances surrounding Cleveland's tragic death.
Adam Tomison expressed deep remorse, stating he felt personally responsible for the abuse as the head of the department and acknowledged the failure to protect the youths.
Former Department of Justice boss Adam Tomison breaks down at the inquest into Cleveland Dodd's suicide death.
Summary based on 3 sources