Mum of Indigenous Teen Who Died in Jail to Speak at Inquest: What Will She Reveal?
Nadene Dodd, mother of Cleveland Dodd, will address the inquest into her son’s tragic death in youth detention, raising questions about systemic issues.
Cleveland Dodd, Nadene Dodd, Casuarina Prison, Perth, Australia, Youth Detention
Perth: The mother of Cleveland Dodd, a 16-year-old who tragically self-harmed in youth detention, is set to speak at an inquest into his death. This comes just before the coroner shares his initial recommendations.
Cleveland was found unresponsive in his cell at Casuarina Prison on October 12, 2023. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away a week later, leaving the community heartbroken and angry.
Nadene Dodd will share her thoughts in court, and a photo of Cleveland will be displayed. A friend will read her statement before the coroner, Philip Urquhart, makes his preliminary findings.
On the legal side, there’s been some drama. WA Deputy Corrections Commissioner Christine Ginbey’s lawyer has accused the court of bias. This came after a witness from the Department of Justice spent a lot of time discussing a promotional video related to Unit 18, where Cleveland was held.
Ginbey had previously tried to have the coroner disqualify himself, claiming bias. Her lawyer argued that she faced undue scrutiny and was bullied during her testimony.
There’s been a lot of back and forth about the conditions in Unit 18, which was set up in a hurry to manage a challenging group of young detainees. Former officials have suggested that a women’s prison might have been a better fit for these youths.
As the inquest continues, it’s clear that there are many layers to this tragic story, and Nadene’s testimony could shed light on the systemic issues at play.