The tragic death of a 17-year-old boy at WA’s Banksia Hill children’s prison marks yet another heartbreaking and preventable loss of life within our nation’s prison system. This is the second death of a child in custody in Western Australia within a year, and the National Network argue that it demands immediate and decisive action.
The boy, who died by suicide, was initially placed under close supervision due to concerns about his condition. However, despite these concerns, he was not considered at high risk of self-harm, and his cell lacked CCTV monitoring. ‘This oversight, in a facility apparently designed to protect vulnerable children, is inexcusable,’ said Debbie Kilroy. ‘The Commissioner of Corrective Services, Mr. Royce, has attempted to deflect responsibility by focusing on the boy’s state upon arrival, mentioning that he was intoxicated and potentially under the influence of illicit drugs. This blame- shifting is not only unjust but also a stark reminder of the systemic failures within our children’s prisons,’ said Debbie Kilroy. ‘It is our collective responsibility to ensure the health, well-being, and safety of our children. This tragic event is a fundamental failure of the prison system, and those responsible must be held accountable,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
The National Network demand that the WA government answer to the public. ‘The Premier and the Minister for Corrective Services have become defensive when questioned about how this tragedy could have occurred, especially in the wake of the death of Cleveland Dodd,’ said Tabitha Lean. ‘The Premier’s statement that he has full confidence in the management of corrective services is not only tone-deaf but also deeply insulting to the families who have lost their children to these prisons,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘These are not correctional facilities; they are death camps where children are being systematically failed and, in too many cases, killed. We demand an end to this now,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘We cannot ignore the broader implications of this tragedy. The recent election of the CLP in the Northern Territory, with their vow to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 years of age, will undoubtedly lead to the incarceration of even more children. This is unacceptable,’ said Debbie Kilroy. ‘The mass incarceration of Aboriginal children in this country is leading to their deaths in custody. These deaths are entirely preventable. We can just say no more. We can take a stand and demand an end to the criminalisation of children,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
The National Network argue that it is time to close Banksia Hill Prison and all children’s prisons across the country. We must invest in children, families, and communities, not cages. How many more children’s lives need to be taken by the prison system before we say enough is enough?
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226
