Riverbank Detention Centre 

Riverbank Detention Centre in the Perth suburb of Caversham, was established in 1960 by the Western Australian Child Welfare Department as a secure detention facility, or in other words, as a a maximum security closed reformatory for teenage boys aged between 13 to 18. Riverbank’s establishment was initially based on looking after the welfare needs of young offenders and in the reformation of their offending behaviour. By 1979, it’s aims had been defined to include the care of child offenders, children on remand for alleged offences or uncontrolled children. By 1970, the Centre accommodated 43 boys and by 1979 over 1,000 boys had been placed at Riverbank with an average stay of nine months at the Centre. After discharge, boys were placed in supervised after-care (similar to parole). In 1993, Riverbank was transferred from the Department for Community Development to the Ministry of Justice. By 1995, Riverbank still maintained accommodation for approximately 34 boys. The Centre was de-commissioned in 1996 and replaced by the Banksia Hill Detention Centre as the only detention Centre for offenders aged 10 to 17 years in Western Australia. In 1998, Riverbank was re-commissioned as an adult prison.

Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients around Australia who have made allegations of being sexually and physically abused as a minor when they were placed in a detention centre.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.