Australia's Youth Justice System Under Scrutiny: Institutional Failings and Systemic Abuse

Australia's treatment of children and young people is under the spotlight following multiple deaths in detention. Inquests and reports reveal systemic failings, including prolonged solitary confinement and institutional abuse. Despite political attempts to curb youth crime with punitive measures, evidence shows these approaches don't enhance community safety and disproportionately impact First Nations children.

SYDNEY, Sep 3 - The treatment of Australia's children and young people in the justice system is back in the national spotlight. Recent inquests, including the death of 16-year-old Yamatji boy Cleveland Dodd in Casuarina Prison, have exposed severe flaws in the Western Australian government's youth justice management, referred to as 'institutional abuse.'

Another troubling incident involves the reported death of a 17-year-old at Western Australia's Banksia Hill Detention Centre. In Queensland, the Inspector of Detention Services revealed that children at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre often spend over 20 hours in solitary, worsening an already dire situation. Six children endured this harsh isolation for more than 71 days consecutively.

Such systemic issues have plagued Australia's youth justice for over a decade and a half. Yet, political moves aim to lower the criminal responsibility age, exacerbating the problem. Despite public safety concerns, these measures fail to provide actual security and disproportionately affect First Nations children, who are 23 times more likely to face supervisory orders. There is a growing call for community-based, supportive approaches rather than punitive, incarceration-focused strategies.

(With inputs from agencies.)