As stated by Greens portfolio holder for First Nations, Resources, Trade, Tourism and Sport, and Yamatji Noongar woman, Senator Dorinda Cox:
“What a stunning turnaround by the WA Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia. Someone in his office must have realised he was on a road to nowhere and called in the crisis management PR team to correct his previous dismissive tone on the shocking state of our youth detention system and death of young Cleveland Dodd.
“Now Minister Papalia is reading carefully crafted words from a PR script at a news conference: ‘Cleveland should be alive today, the fact he is not is without question, a devastating tragedy. Put simply, we let him down.’
“No kidding! Yes Cleveland and his family were let down in the most tragic way. The Cook Government and Corrective Services Department let them down. After Cleveland’s death Minister Papalia backed his staff, blaming the kids and even did a show and tell of weapons in WA Parliament as a stunt.
“As I said after Cleveland’s self-harm, his death was a day of reckoning. I can tell you Minister Papalia and new Commissioner Royce, that Cleveland’s death will be a day of reckoning for many. To hear Commissioner Royce say ‘Unit 18 is what it is until I get another facility’ speaks volumes. As does the call for body cameras for staff.
“How about the department looks at the conditions these boys are subjected to. Some are not even convicted, and are on remand awaiting the outcome of court proceedings. Let’s start by doing something about the isolation these children are kept in, for nearly 24 hours a day for weeks at a time, in a maximum security adult prison. That would have a significant effect on anyone’s mental health and ability to cope.
“After the change of tone and new PR spin, it’s time for action Minister Papalia and Commissioner Royce.
“As Cleveland’s family said in a statement, change is not delivered by words alone. Another teenager in Unit 18 has since self-harmed. For families of these children they now sitting with a ticking time bomb in their laps – hoping and praying it isn’t their child next.”
