The Banskia Hill juvenile detention centre will receive a $25.1 million upgrade after it was slammed by a Perth Children's Court judge as a "dehumanising" space.
The money will go towards a $7.5 million crisis care unit, improvement to the centre's intensive supervision unit, in-cell media streaming for education and therapeutic purposes, and a new Aboriginal services unit.
In February, Perth Children's Court President Judge Hylton Quail slammed the detention centre while sentencing a 15-year-old boy for a range of offences, saying "if you wanted to make a monster, this is the way to do it".
The offences included a dozen assaults on youth custodial officers at Banksia Hill, some of which occurred after the teenager threatened self-harm.
Judge Quail described the cell where the teenager was kept as "a fish bowl" and the yard where he was supposed to be allowed to exercise as a "10 x 20 metre cage".
Under the upgrade the government will create new recreation areas, enhance observation cells, upgrade the CCTV network and add anti-climb roof and fencing.
Rehabilitation support for offenders
Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston said the extra funding would protect some of Western Australia's most vulnerable people.
"I understand Banksia Hill has had its challenges in the past year, but the McGowan Government remains committed to the safety of both staff and detainees," he said.
"The tripling of Aboriginal welfare staff and the creation of the Aboriginal Services Unit will give detainees the rehabilitative support they need to help them break the cycle and reduce youth offending around the state."
The Aboriginal Services Unit will provide specific cultural support in an attempt to address the over-representation of Aboriginal youths at Banksia Hill.
New staff will include eight Aboriginal welfare officers and Aboriginal medical and mental health workers.
"A recent Federal Government Productivity report found the number of youth in WA detention has halved in the past 10 years," Mr Johnston said.
"We are focused on doing everything we can to continue this trend."
Department of Justice Director-General Adam Tomison admitted earlier this year that Banksia Hill was sometimes acutely understaffed, with only half of the 60 plus workers required for a shift actually present, which meant rehabilitative programs were not being run.
Assaults on staff and difficult behaviour were intensifying difficulties for staff, Dr Tomison said, which in turn was leading to greater periods of lockdown for detainees.
"My own view is that we have … significant work to do to make sure we maintain the appropriate standards of care for all young people in our care of Banksia Hill," Dr Tomison said at the time.
Call for one-on-one support
The National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project is sponsoring a class action lawsuit alleging mistreatment at Banksia Hill.
Coordinator Gerry Georgatos said while the funding was a small step in the right direction, more one-on-one support was needed for inmates.
"The funding is about keeping the place steadier, less incidences but the incidences will continue because there's no hope on that horizon once they've left Banksia," Mr Georgatos said.
"We need one-on-one support for these most vulnerable children, these are the most vulnerable children I've ever come across and I work with the marginalised."
Mr Georgatos said if there were more caseworkers and social workers at the facility, it would reduce the need for guards.
He said a recent government report had found assaults occurred every 10 days at Banksia Hill, while self-harm incidences happened every two days on average.
"We have a long way to go," he said.
