The state government of Western Australia (WA) has faced criticism following the transfer of juvenile detainees from Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre to Casuarina adult prison in Western Australia. Some of these detainees are as young as 14 years old, and were transferred after allegedly breaking out of their cells and assaulting a guard overnight.
According to the state justice department, two juvenile detainees assaulted an officer with a makeshift weapon and stole their keys, which led to the release of another 11 young detainees from their cells. The juveniles then climbed onto the rooftops of Casuarina's unit 18 where they were being held, as well as two nearby buildings. During this disturbance, six officers sustained injuries; one female officer was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Human rights lawyers and academics have condemned this decision to transfer children into adult prisons, arguing that it may not be consistent with Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite these concerns, officials maintain that juveniles at Casuarina are being kept separate from the general adult population.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan spoke about this incident: "The conduct exhibited by these juvenile offenders is appalling." He went on further stating that his government plans on introducing new legislation by mid-year ensuring offenders will be moved to adult facilities once they reach age 18.
In response to criticisms regarding detainee transfers between institutions designed for different age groups, Premier McGowan mentioned increased safety measures in place within Casuarina's Unit 18 facility: "We've made sure there is appropriate separation between those who are over age and those who aren't."
Despite reassurances provided by authorities concerning detainee welfare inside facilities like Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison—a maximum-security institution located in Perth—concerns remain among human rights advocates about potential breaches involving international legal standards for the treatment of minors in detention.