WA Police have admitted "exceptional circumstances" meant two juveniles were kept at the adult Perth Watch House earlier this week, drawing criticism from the state's Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Officers had no choice but to keep them there for about three hours one evening after staff at the state's juvenile detention centre – Banksia Hill – advised they could not receive any detainees.
Police said they were kept there for less than three hours and were "segregated" from adult detainees.
"The two juveniles were treated in accordance with the Western Australia Police Force custody policy and procedures, which are detailed and comprehensive to ensure the safety of all detainees and staff," a police spokesperson said.
"WA Police Force policy and procedures permit the detention of juveniles at Perth Watch House in exceptional circumstances.
"The inability of Banksia Hill to receive juveniles is such a circumstance."
Watch house 'not an appropriate environment'
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the teenagers were on "arrest/remand warrants" and their transfer to Banskia was delayed "while custodial staff were managing an operational incident". They did not detail what the incident was.
"These occurrences are very unusual and only taken to ensure the safety of young people and security of the centre."
WA's Commissioner for Children and Young People said she had not been formally told of the incident but was concerned to hear juveniles had been kept in the watch house.
"It's not an appropriate environment for them, and we would be really concerned if this became a common practice," Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said.
"For many of these young people who are put into Banksia, they have cognitive impairments, neurodevelopmental delay, et cetera.
"They need staff who have an understanding of their needs and police aren't trained for that."
Move follows transfer of youth detainees to adult prison
In July, 17 detainees were moved from Banksia Hill to an isolated unit at the maximum security adult Casuarina Prison, sparking concern from advocates.
Less than a month later, the government labelled the move a success, saying moving that group of "violent young offenders" meant Banksia Hill was running more smoothly.
But Ms McGowan-Jones said this latest incident – which diverted staff away from accepting incoming detainees – shows issues persist, particularly at night.
"There [is] less staffing of an evening, over the night period, for obvious reasons, kids are mostly sleeping," she said.
"Nonetheless, that does mean if there is an incident, then the rest of the facility is in lockdown."
A sign of distress among inmates
The Commissioner said a variety of situations could spark an "incident" – giving the example of one detainee who became distressed after nobody picked up when he tried to ring family.
"That young person then goes back to their cell and is incredibly distressed, upset, then becomes angry and frustrated," she said.
"It's more an expression of that young person's lack of support, and their perception of that lack of support.
"That's why it's critical that we get some of these other allied supports available on a 24/7 basis, so that there is someone to go and talk to a young person when they're becoming distressed and frustrated and angry, rather than reacting with a punitive approach."
Ms McGowan-Jones said while finding staff at the moment is difficult, further investment was required.
In April, the state government announced $25.1 million for upgrades at the facility, after a Children's Court judge described it as "dehumanising".
That included $7.5 million for a new crisis care unit, and $3.6 million for an Aboriginal services unit to provide specific cultural support and services to Aboriginal detainees.
