Unit 18 Open Letter to W.A. Premier Cook
The WA Government has placed children inside maximum-security adult prison*, in a facility called ‘Unit 18’.
*Since July 2022
Between it's opening and September 2023, Unit 18 saw 20 suicide attempts and more than 350 instances of self-harm.
On 20 October 2023, a 16-year-old passed away in hospital one week after attempting to take his own life in that very unit. This death was preventable.
In November 2023, 136 organisations and individuals signed an Open Letter to Premier Cook. This included Hello Initiative’s CEO & Co-Founder Ashleigh Small.
Read the Open Letter to Premier Cook below:
We can end the cycle of harm in WA's Youth Justice System. Looking to get involved? Call on your local MP to demand change.
Click below to use the pre-written template demanding Unit 18 to close.
Hello Initiative wishes to pay our respects to the young person’s family and community, and commits to continue to work to improve the youth justice system in Western Australia.