Cleveland Dodd inquest: Youth justice’s new ‘change agent’ confirms Unit 18 still has no operating model

The woman tasked with bedding down a new blueprint for youth detention in WA was given no handover when she started and got the impression her then-boss wasn’t particularly interested in her mission. The “model of care” — otherwise known as an “operating philosophy and service model” — was written for strife-plagued Banksia Hill in 2021 by veteran senior public servant Tim Marney, who then tried to implement it last year. But he was prevented from applying it to Unit 18 within Casuarina Prison — which was rushed open in mid-2022 — and left aggrieved when his six-month contract with the Department of Justice was not extended in September 2023. The next month, Cleveland Dodd fatally self-harmed in his cell at Unit 18, which houses Banksia Hill’s most disruptive youth. Cleveland’s inquest — now in its final and fourth phase — has already heard Unit 18 began operating with no model at all. And on Friday, Narelle Butt — who took over from Mr Marney in the days between the 16-year-old being found unresponsive and dying in hospital — confirmed the controversial facility still had no such critical, overarching document. Under questioning by counsel assisting the coroner Anthony Crocker, Ms Butt agreed that was troubling. Mr Crocker further asked if it was “remarkable” in light of the fierce spotlight on Unit 18 and she again agreed. Ms Butt agreed she was pretty well left to her own devices with a pile of documents when she began the job. “In my view, it shows a lack of understanding of the importance of the model of care,” she told the inquest. Ms Butt was working under Christine Ginbey, who was responsible for women’s prisons and young detainees. Days after the teen’s death, the State Government announced she had lost juveniles from her portfolio as part of a restructure. But that wasn’t implemented until July this year. Mr Crocker suggested that Ms Ginbey took the view Unit 18 needed a model of care “but it’s not high on my list of priorities” and Ms Butt agreed. She said the focus on a model of care and an understanding of its importance had increased with the promotion of psychologist Angela Cooney, who was deputy superintendent at Banksia Hill when Cleveland died. There are currently just nine detainees at Unit 18 and 56 at Banksia Hill, Ms Butt confirmed. Ms Ginbey did not complete her testimony in August — becoming unwell mid-way through a hearing day — and was later excused from giving further evidence in person. But she must give sworn answers to written questions by January 31. Lifeline 13 11 14 For culturally safe First Nations crisis support, call 13YARN on 13 92 76.