Banksia Hill is one of only two juvenile detention centres for offenders aged 10 to 18 years in Western Australia. It accommodates juveniles from all over the state who have been sentenced to a period of detention or remanded in custody by the courts.
Self-discipline and personal responsibility are skills that are taught and encouraged. Detainees are expected to take responsibility for their own presentation and actions and participate in development programs designed to address the causes of their offending behaviour. Violent behaviour, smoking, use of illegal drugs or alcohol is forbidden.
All detainees have individual "case management plans", which map out the education, training, employment, counselling or other activities they will do whilst in the centre, to work towards their return into the community. From 9.15 am to 3.15 pm, everyone takes part in learning programs including TAFE, employment, school and personal development courses. All young people aged 17 and under must go to school.
Every effort is made to provide detainees with programs that will help them obtain employment on release. Other work is available around the centre with professional tuition in gardening, library, canteen service, cleaning and laundry work. Programs are also run to help with specific issues such as substance abuse and anger management, sex offender treatment and other counselling.
Accommodation consists of standard units, made up of a group of modern, compact cells or self-care living units, which are like a normal house. Standard units contain single cells and one shared cell if required, a dining area and shared outdoor recreation area. Each cell has a shower, toilet and basin, with room for earned privileges - such as a television and radio. Meals are prepared in a central kitchen and detainees in each cell unit heat and serve the food.
Self-care units contain separate bedrooms and shared facilities including a kitchen, bathroom and toilet, and are located away from other units. Detainees in self-care units are responsible for their own cooking and cleaning.
All cells and self-care units are locked from 8.00 pm to 8.00 am the next morning.
Banksia Hill has a modern medical centre staffed by a nurse. Psychologists are also available to assist detainees. The centre has a gymnasium, basketball courts and a recreation oval for use by detainees committed to developing and improving themselves.
Visiting
Parents or guardians should remain a central part of detainees' lives, and visits are allowed during the afternoon every day of the week. They must be booked in advance by calling (08) 9333 2222. Special arrangements are made for rural parents or guardian and in cases of special need.
Friends and relatives must get written permission to visit from the detainees' parent or guardian.
Visitors under 18 must be approved by the detainee's parents and their own parents and be accompanied by an approved, responsible adult. Detainees may not have more than four adult visitors at any one time.
Visitors are not allowed to take anything into the visits area - lockers are available. Approved items - such as school books or clothes for court - must be given to reception before the visit. For security reasons, nothing else will be accepted without the prior permission of the Superintendent.
Telephone calls and letters
Detainees can make phone calls to a range of approved phone numbers at free recreation times during the day. A parent or caregiver must give permission for calls to anyone other than themselves. Banksia Hill allows seven free calls per week to relatives and friends, but extra calls must be paid for, with the money earned by detainees around the centre. Extra phone calls are allowed to lawyers, field officers or to deal with an urgent family crisis.
Letter writing is encouraged as a way of keeping in contact with family and friends.
Location
Banksia Hill is on the corner of Nicholson and Warton Roads, Canning Vale, with entry from Warton Road. Visitors can reach the detention centre by bus or a combination of bus and train. Buses leave the Cannington Train Station for a 30-minute trip to the detention centre. Further details are available from Transperth on 132213.
Contact details
Banksia Hill Detention Centre
PO Box 1512
CANNING VALE WA 6155
Telephone: (08) 9333 2222
Juvenile Custodial Services
Level 3
Westralia Square
141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9264 1065
Facsimile: (08) 9264 9575
Last Updated: 26-Nov-2008
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