FIRE AT CASUARINA YOUTH DETENTION UNIT

Casuarina Prison. Source: Google Maps

A fire was lit on Monday night in the section of Casuarina adult prison where teenage detainees are being held, causing one inmate to be taken for medical treatment.

A Department of Justice spokesperson said prison staff extinguished a cell fire and several smaller fires in the corridors of the Casuarina Unit 18 youth detention facility.

They evacuated the detained children temporarily from their cells.

“One young person received external medical assessment for smoke inhalation and has since returned to Unit 18,” according to the spokesperson.

The Department transferred the boys, most of whom are Indigenous, from Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre to Casuarina in July.

Since then, there have been numerous self-harm attempts in Unit 18.