In a part two of a youth custody review that follows its 2023 inspection report, OICS said the Department had made considerable progress in stabilising the youth detention facilities since last year.
The stability and increased support services provision as the Department implemented reforms and rolled out a new trauma-informed Model of Care were having a positive impact on detainees.
“The Department is making good progress on its planned reforms towards the dual objectives of welfare and support, and security and safety,” OICS said.
A renewed focus on recruitment has led to a lift in youth custodial staff levels, culminating in young people spending more time out of cell participating in education, programs and recreation.
OICS also noted improvements in culturally safe and secure practices, educational outcomes, health services, and voluntary programs and activities.
The Department has established an Aboriginal Services Unit (ASU) comprising a Manager and Aboriginal Youth Support Officers who all play a key role in providing specific cultural support and services to Aboriginal young people at Banksia Hill and Unit 18.
OICS said contact with this team was greatly benefiting First Nations young people in their care via improved engagement, orientations and cultural connection, and by co-facilitating programs.
“These green shoots are beginning to produce better outcomes for young people in custody,” it said.
The report’s tabling follows last week’s conclusion of hearings for the coronial inquest into the death in custody of a young person at Unit 18 in October 2023.
Department Director General Kylie Maj said the Department was deeply saddened by the fatality and that of another young person at Banksia Hill in August 2024, and awaited final recommendations from the inquest.
Ms Maj said the Department’s reforms and enhanced protocols were focused on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people in its care.
“There have been significant achievements in how the Department manages vulnerable and at-risk young people, which OICS has acknowledged,” she said.
“We are committed to delivering culturally responsive, therapeutic and trauma-informed care, as well as education and other opportunities, to the young people in Banksia Hill and Unit 18.
“The Health Department’s multidisciplinary Youth Detention Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service has also developed a screening program to support the identification and management of mental health risk among young people.
“This valuable collaboration provides a range of specialist staff for detainees including in psychiatry, neuropsychology and speech pathology, along with paediatric and clinical specialists.”
OICS acknowledged infrastructure and security upgrades the Department has carried out at Banksia Hill and Unit 18 including CCTV upgrades, while plans for the construction of a new Crisis Care Unit (CCU) at Banksia Hill were advancing.
The CCU will provide the young people easy access to specialist treatment and care.
The OICS report also welcomed the development of a new youth detention facility to accommodate high-risk young people, replacing Unit 18.
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said the more than 100 new Youth Custodial Officers appointed in 2024 and the introduction of the ASU had helped stabilise the youth estate.
“Rebuilding the youth custodial workforce has meant less time confined in a cell and greater access to a variety of much-needed support services for young people,” he said.
“As part of our Model of Care rollout, the new position of Deputy Commissioner for Young People was created to solely oversee youth justice in both the custodial and community settings.
“In addition, significant progress has been made in non-custodial areas, such as education, health and treatment programs to help address young people’s offending behaviours and steer them away from the justice system.
“Since OICS’ 2023 inspection, there has been an increase in vocational training programs offered with numerous accredited courses now available to detainees including civil construction, hospitality and other job-ready skills to help prepare them for employment once released.
