- Site chosen for new facility to safely house high-risk young people
- Location next door to Banksia Hill Detention Centre allows shared services
- Purpose-built structure will provide therapeutic support in a secure setting
- $11.5 million to complete detailed planning and commence early works
The Cook Government has selected the location for a new facility to house the State's most high-risk youth detainees, alongside the Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
The secure facility will be built on a site adjacent the south-west boundary of Banksia Hill in Canning Vale.
The State Government has allocated $11.5million to complete detailed planning, which will finalise the design of the project. Enabling works will commence shortly, including relocation of services.
Replacing the Unit 18 youth detention facility at Casuarina Prison, the new building will accommodate high-risk young people who cannot be safely housed at Banksia Hill.
It will provide the required supervision and therapeutic support to address the young people's behaviours and complex needs.
The young people in the new facility will have access to the same services and programs as other detainees.
Along with Department of Justice Aboriginal staff, the Government has engaged an Indigenous-owned consultancy to develop an Aboriginal engagement strategy for the project. Key stakeholders are also being consulted.
The chosen site is subject to State and Federal environmental approvals. Its footprint includes Banksia Hill's existing car park, which would be relocated.
Development of the new facility comes on top of the more than $220 million the Government has committed to youth detention since mid-2022 to enhance facilities, services and staff numbers.
That includes $29.1 million for the construction of a Crisis Care Unit (CCU) within Banksia Hill. The eight-bed facility will provide dedicated support to young people experiencing mental health crises.
The CCU will include staff from health and mental health services delivering an integrated model of management for young people who are demonstrating at-risk behaviours.
As stated by Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"This is an important step in the delivery of a purpose-built centre for the most complex young people.
"The centre will be informed by world's best practice and in a culturally appropriate manner.
"Placing a permanent facility right on the doorstep of Banksia Hill will be the best outcome for detainees and staff.
"It means high-risk individuals will get the support they need in a secure environment while enabling Banksia Hill to operate as intended without disruptions."
