Family of Cleveland Dodd demand ‘justice’ ahead of coronial inquest

The family of Cleveland Dodd — the first child to die in youth detention in WA — has demanded “justice” and an “overhaul” of juvenile detention on the eve of an inquest into his suicide. The 16-year-old Indigenous detainee self-harmed in a Unit 18 cell on October 12, dying a week later in hospital. An expedited coronial inquest will begin Wednesday after an interim Department of Justice inquiry found welfare checks on Cleveland might have been fabricated, a senior officer could have been sleeping during the incident and a broken vent used as a ligature point had been unrepaired for nearly a month. In a statement read out to media by the family’s lawyer, Dana Levitt, Cleveland’s mother Nadine Dodd said her family was “still reeling”. “With each and every new detail that comes to light about the night Cleveland died and about Unit 18 generally, I become more determined to get justice for Cleveland,” Ms Levitt said on behalf of her client, who was in tears. “Children do not belong in our prisons. The Department of Justice was supposed to keep my boy safe — not let him die on their watch.” Ms Dodd expressed gratitude the inquest had been expedited and hope Cleveland’s death would lead to an “overhaul” of youth justice in WA. “The system, like my heart, is broken,” she said. Cleveland’s grandmother Glenda Mippy said the family had been unable to sleep ahead of the inquest and said those responsible for his death must “pay for what they have done”. Ms Mippy said Unit 18 inside Casuarina Prison — where the State’s most troubled juvenile detainees have been transferred from Banksia Hill — was “disgusting” and rubbish could be seen piled up on the steps. “We’re not going to rest until we get justice for him,” she said. “We’re not going to go home and forget about him, that kid will be with us for the rest of our lives.” Ms Levitt — who is also bringing a class action against the State Government and Banksia Hill — said she hoped the inquest would bring “lasting change”. “We’re not setting up young people to do anything other than self harm in prison,” she said. “Children rarely come out better than they went in. And for the most part they come out worse. “It’s in everybody’s interest for there to be some real change.” Cleveland’s father, Wayne Gentle, is serving a sentence until June for a string of charges including three counts of assaulting a public officer. The Dodd family have applied to the Prisoners Review Board for him to be released early on compassionate grounds so that he can attend. Premier Roger Cook said Tuesday he had not received a briefing on the application but that the Department of Justice would take a “common sense approach”. Mr Cook said Unit 18 and Banksia Hill were in a “different world” compared to how they operated when Cleveland died. “We’ve made significant reforms, increased the staff and improve the training. It’s not perfect. There’s a lot more work to be done. But (Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia) and the Department are getting on with that work,” he said. The Premier said remained in contact with advocates for the family and acknowledged the inquest would be a “horrible time for them”. “They are revisiting traumatic emotions, the grieving process for them continues. And our hearts go out to them. What they’re looking for his answers, and I’m sure that inquiry will endeavour to (provide those),” Mr Cook said. About 100 family and supporters marched from Forrest Chase to the David Malcolm Justice Centre, with chants such as “no just, no peace — no racist police” and “close Unit 18”. At the DMJC a number of family members of people who had died in custody spoke, including the wife of Wayne Ugle. Natasha Ugle — whose husband died following a medical episode in Hakea Prison in November — said the Department of Justice had a duty of care for those in custody. “They failed us, just like they failed my husband,” Ms Ugle said. “The Corrective Services let us down and we still have unanswered questions. There’s blood on their hands — we want justice.” The Department initially told Mr Papalia that officers responded within minutes — a claim the minister was forced to later correct. At least one staff member has been suspended. Lifeline 13 11 14