Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Failures found before death of teen in youth detention
An investigation into the events surrounding the death of Indigenous teen Cleveland Dodd in a detention centre has uncovered significant operational failures.
November 10, 2023
TRAGIC DEATH OF CLEVELAND DODD AT CASUARINA PRISON IN PERTH
* October 11, 3pm: CCTV camera in Cleveland’s cell covered with toilet paper, obscuring its view
* October 12, 1.22am: Cleveland calls officers in the detention unit’s control room and makes his first threat to self-harm
* 1.27am: Cleveland recalls the control and repeats his intention to hurt himself
* Corrections officer visits his cell and speaks to him before leaving
* 1.40am: the officer returns to Cleveland’s locked cell and finds him unresponsive
* The officer, who does not have a radio, goes to a supervisor’s office to raise the alarm and retrieve the keys to Cleveland’s cell
* 1.42am: first responding officer returns to Cleveland’s cell, unlocks the door and starts CPR on the boy, followed by a nurse and two more officers
* 1.53am: code red called throughout the prison.
* 2.19am: Paramedics arrive and advise Cleveland has a pulse
* 2.32am: Cleveland is transported to Fiona Stanley Hospital
* October 20, about 10pm: Cleveland dies at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital