The family of an Indigenous teen who died after self-harming in an adult prison’s youth wing hope an inquest provides more information about his death.

April 3, 2024

The family of the first juvenile to die in youth detention in Western Australia hope an inquest will shed light on his death and result in an overhaul of the justice system.

Cleveland Dodd, 16, was found unresponsive after harming himself inside his cell in a troubled youth wing of a high-security adult prison in the early hours of October 12, 2023.

The Indigenous teen was taken to hospital in a critical condition and later died, causing outrage and grief in the community.

His mother, Nadene Dodd, says her family is “still reeling from the loss of my son”.

“The months since Cleveland’s passing have been fraught with grief,” she said in a statement read by lawyer Dana Levitt at a pre-inquest press conference on Tuesday.

“With each new detail that comes to light about the night he died or about Unit 18 generally, I become more determined to get justice for Cleveland, and for all the other boys sent there.”

The first part of an expedited inquest in Perth examining Cleveland’s death starts on Wednesday and runs until April 12.

After the opening statement, Coroner Phil Urquhart will close the court so counsel and lawyers involved in the inquest and some of Cleveland’s family can view Casuarina Prison CCTV footage from the night the teen self-harmed.

Witnesses who worked at Unit 18 including three youth custodial officers, a nurse and a manager are understood to be scheduled to start giving evidence on Friday, with a full day set aside for each.

“I’m hopeful that Cleveland’s death is the catalyst for an overhaul of youth justice in Western Australia,” Ms Dodd said.

“The system, like my heart, is broken.”

Cleveland’s grandmother, Glenda Mippy, said the family wanted “answers for happened to Cleveland”.

“That boy should be in this world but because of the neglect he’s not and this is what we want them to pay for what they’ve done wrong,” she said.

“They need to stop calling it suicide because we know it wasn’t suicide … it wasn’t self-harm … and we all know that.

“No kid should have been in Unit 18.”

Premier Roger Cook said he had been in contact with the Dodd family’s advocates and discussed their concerns.

“This is a really horrible time for them,” he said on Tuesday.

“They are revisiting trauma and traumatic emotions. The grieving process for them continues and our hearts go out to them.

“What they’re looking for is answers and I’m sure that inquiry will endeavour to do so.”

Cleveland’s inquest is expected to resume in July.