Cleveland Dodd: A Tragic Case of Neglect in Youth Detention
Cleveland Dodd, a 16-year-old Indigenous teenager, tragically died after suffering severe neglect in a youth wing of the high-security Casuarina Prison in Perth. Cleveland was found unresponsive in his cell on October 12, 2023, after enduring over 22 hours a day in confinement for 74 of his 86-day detention. His family has expressed outrage, stating he was treated worse than animals in a zoo.
Before his death, Cleveland requested water six times and spent almost all his time in a cell lacking running water. His isolation was compounded by poor mental health support; he threatened self-harm on multiple occasions and had been denied bail. A lawyer representing Cleveland’s mother described the treatment he received as “institutional abuse” and “inhumane,” highlighting that he had limited recreational time, averaging just three minutes per day.
During court proceedings, Cleveland’s grandmother, Roslyn Sullivan, compared his treatment unfavourably to that of animals, emphasising the absence of basic hygiene facilities. She labelled the conditions “horrific.” Cleveland’s mother, Nadene Dodd, characterised the neglect as “barbarous and criminal,” stating that justice must be served to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Evidence presented during the inquest revealed an alarming trend of self-harm among detained Indigenous youth, with reports of at least 17 incidents in the day prior to Cleveland’s fatal injury. Cleveland’s repeated and desperate pleas for medical assistance and basic care were ignored, leading to frustration and despair.
The Justice Department has faced scrutiny over their management of Unit 18, with claims that the facility was ill-equipped to house young detainees safely. Acknowledging failures in infrastructure and staffing, the Department has since offered an apology to Cleveland’s family while maintaining that the unit was not deemed unfit for youth detainees. Lawyers for the Justice Department attempted to absolve senior officials of responsibility, yet the inquest’s findings point to systemic issues within the juvenile detention system.
Cleveland Dodd succumbed to his injuries on October 19, 2023, surrounded by family, leaving a community shaken and grieving. Advocates continue to call for reform and greater protections for young Indigenous Australians in detention, stressing that neglect and inhumane treatment must not be tolerated in any form.
For immediate support, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support service, 13YARN, is available for crisis assistance.