Two buildings damaged by fire, but no injuries after Banksia Hill New Year's Eve riot

Staff at Perth's Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre had to barricade themselves during a New Year's Eve riot, which saw two buildings damaged by fire. Key points: Emergency Services were called to a riot at Banksia Hill Detention Centre on New Year's Eve No-one was injured in the incident but two buildings were damaged The detainees involved have been referred to police Corrective Services Commissioner Mike Reynolds said 22 inmates climbed fences and rooftops causing damage and threatening staff, prompting the department to deploy its special operations group. "There’s been a high level of out-of-cell hours over the Christmas-New year period.” Riot damage at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. "That’s more than one uniformed officer for every two detainees, so there is absolutely no suggestion that there was insufficient staffing available in the centre yesterday and staffing levels were not in any way a contribution to the issue.” Deaths in Custody Watch Committee member Desmond Blurton has urged the government to consider why the riot took place, despite adequate staffing levels and out-of-cell time.