Wala Kooral-bi juvenile justice facility opens in northern WA
The plan to build the Wala Koorai-bi Centre was announced in 2022. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
In short:
An on-country alternative to Western Australia's Banksia Hill Detention Centre has been built in the state's far north.
The Wala Kooral-bi Centre will host the Marlamanu program, offering a culturally grounded alternative to traditional youth justice programs.
What's next?
After delays the youth justice facility is open and the first cohort of young people is expected to arrive in the new year.
A new on-country juvenile justice facility touted as an alternative to Perth's notorious Banksia Hill Detention Centre has opened in Western Australia's north.
The Wala Kooral-bi Centre, 120 kilometres south of the Kimberley town of Derby, will offer an on-country diversion program for boys aged 14-17.
Announced in 2022, the Marlamanu project has been delayed but the first cohort of teenagers will stay at the centre in the new year.
The Wala Kooral-bi Centre is ready to receive its first group of young people. (ABC News: Andrew Seabourne)
The opening comes after a month of heightened scrutiny on youth crime in the Kimberley and days after a riot at Banksia Hill brought the detention centre to a standstill.
The Wala Kooral-bi Centre will be run by KRED Enterprises and offer attendees structured daily routines, practical station experience and cultural learning.
Damien Parriman says the centre will help to heal troubled young people. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
Chief executive Damien Parriman said he was proud of the partnerships that led to the centre opening.
"The journey ahead is about making sure everything is in place to provide a strong, safe and healing experience for our young people to become positive leaders amongst their peers," he said.
The first young people to use the facility are expected to arrive next year. (ABC News: Andrew Seabourne)
Connection to country
Given the lack of youth justice or correctional facilities in the state's north, young offenders from the Kimberley have invariably ended up at Banksia Hill in recent years.
Indigenous leaders have stated that the removal of teenagers from country for placement in the city has perpetuated the problem and offered no solution to the issue of juvenile crime.
The Wala Kooral-bi Centre is diversion facility, offering a culturally grounded alternative to traditional youth justice programs. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation executive chairperson Robert Watson said the Kimberley community needed to drive positive change in their young people.
"Too often our young people are taken far from home in times of crisis," he said.
"Marlamanu is about changing that story, about keeping them close to country, supported by culture, community and family."
The centre opened on Friday. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
Hopes to reduce repeat offending
Shire of Derby West Kimberley President Peter McCumstie said the community had been waiting decades for this type of facility.
"The view of the community in the Kimberley is that the best way to deal with children that are having issues … is to do it on their own country with their own family and own traditional owners," he said.
Peter McCumstie has called for long-term funding for youth programs. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
Mr McCumstie said he hoped keeping young people on country would help reduce recidivism.
"Culturally there are law elders, they're on their own country, there's the capacity to instil into the repeat offenders [with a sense of responsibility], particularly," he said.
"There is some hope of instilling culturally responsibility done by their own people … not somewhere 2,500 kilometres away with no access to family or elders."
The centre 2,000km north of Perth will offer an on-country diversion program for boys. (ABC News: Andrew Seabourne)
Three-year pilot program
The three-year pilot program has been funded to the tune of $19.3 million by the WA government.
Minister for the Kimberley Stephen Dawson said the government had engaged with the community in the project's design and execution.
Kimberley MP Stephen Dawson says the program represents an investment in young people. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)
"This centre demonstrates what is possible when government listens, partners with community and supports Aboriginal organisations to lead," he said.
"The government is committed to supporting Aboriginal-led initiatives and supporting regional communities to design solutions that work for their people."
Marlamanu is the Walmajarri word for help.
Wala Kooral-bi means "catch 'em up quick" in the language of the Nyikina traditional owner group.