Wild moment inmates storm the roof of 'out-of-control' maximum security youth detention centre plagued by riots

Daily Mail UK ^ | November 24, 2025 | Ashley Nickel

[Morgana]

At least six youth offenders have broken onto the roof of a detention facility sparking a standoff with prison staff.

A group of inmates at Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Canning Vale, suburban Perth, climbed onto the roof off the facility about 2.30pm on Monday.

They allegedly threw bricks, poles and fire extinguishers at authorities trying to get them down.

Aerial footage of the incident showed children ripping air vents off the roof along with other pieces of metal.

One offender was seen setting off a fire extinguisher.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas blamed the incident on the WA state government's 'chronic mismanagement' of Banksia Hill and other youth detention centres.

'There's no other thing you can say about it - they have failed,' he told ABC Radio Perth.

'They've failed those children. They failed those inmates and they've failed the men and women that need to take care of them.

Banksia Hill is a maximum-security facility which holds boys and girls aged between 10 and 17 years old.

The Department of Justice earlier confirmed Corrective Services officers were 'responding to an incident involving a group of young people'.

Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia claimed the violent outburst backed the state government's existing reforms.

'It shows the challenging task confronted by our youth custodial officers and reaffirms the need for a purpose-designed facility to house the state's most high-risk youth, as announced by our government last week,' he said.

The WA Government committed additional funding for a new 30-bed detention centre for high-risk youth offenders.

That group is currently held at Unit 18 inside the maximum-security adult Casuarina Prison.

Banksia Hill Detention Centre has had several riots in recent years.

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TOPICS: Local News
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[Morgana]

Maybe they need padded cells in these places.

[PghBaldy]

Australia, I assume?

[lee martell]

I’m sure Rebellion Hour felt really good during that hour. but it looks like authorities have regained control, at least for now. You can bet there will be Payback going on, in ways both big and small. “How dare you Juvies make an international laughing stick out of our newly designed, very expensive Maximum Security units!! We have a list with all the participants of your little tantrums. Your personal files are scheduled for review by the Warden.’

[Opinionated Blowhard]

'It shows the challenging task confronted by our youth custodial officers and reaffirms the need for a purpose-designed facility to house the state's most high-risk youth, as announced by our government last week,' he said.

So the facility design is why the kids were able to riot? Not the guards who are supposed to keep them under control? This is the problem with modern society. Too many times, law enforcement views its job as standing by and watching rather than stopping a crime or riot. We need to recreate conditions where guards can and are willing to stop the riot, with force if necessary.

[ZOOKER]

TIWWCHAN

("This is why we can't have anything nice")

[dfwgator]

Maltreating the Abos?

[WKUHilltopper]

An M-60 will solve it.

[UnwashedPeasant]

This is part of their entitlement training before they are released into society to wreak havoc.

[Mr. K]

These places should be like boot camps

[dfwgator]

These places should be like boot camps

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Introduce them to the joys of bustin’ rocks!

[Mr. K]

Hard work should be part of it, but it should be the whole nine yards.

Cleaning and Pressing your uniform, making sure your bed is made and everything is lined up carefully, listening to orders, and anything that would get you set back in boot camp get you set back in jail. Until you learn a little discipline and self-respect that comes with it.

Also a skill. They could learn welding Plumbing drywall anything, but they only earn that right to learn a skill