The Banksia Hill Project was the first study in Australia to assess and diagnose young people in a youth custodial facility for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 

The research team led by Professor Carol Bower and Clinical Associate Professor Raewyn Mutch from the Telethon Kids Institute worked with more than 100 young people aged between 10-17 years incarcerated in Western Australia’s only youth detention facility, Banksia Hill Detention Centre.

Nine out of ten youth examined were found to have some form of neuro-disability and one in three was found to have FASD. 

More information

• The Banksia Hill Project - Findings and Recommendations

• Almost every young person in WA detention has a severe brain impairment | The Conversation

• Young offenders must be screened for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders before sentencing | The Conversation

• What can Justice Professionals Do? |The FASD Hub Australia 

• REFRAME training - an evidence-based program for frontline justice professionals

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and youth justice: a prevalence study among young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Knowledge, attitudes, experiences and practices of the Western Australian youth custodial workforce