WA minister Bill Johnston pushes Banksia Hill youth detention centre issue to councils

WA's Corrective Services Minister has indicated he wants to move away from Banksia Hill being the state's only juvenile detention facility – but wants the local government sector to take the lead.

Speaking to the ABC for the first time since Four Corners laid bare conditions inside Banksia Hill, Bill Johnston described the challenges of handling juvenile detainees on remand – meaning they are yet to be sentenced.

"The average stay for remand prisoners is only 13 days," he said.

"They often come in with drug and other challenges, and they are then very disruptive when they enter the facility, it's often very hard to have a proper understanding of what their individual needs are.

Read More: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-17/wa-minister-bill-johnston-side-steps-banksia-hill/101666304