WA's Banksia Hill detention probe welcomed

Amnesty International has backed an independent inquiry into alleged abuses at Perth's juvenile detention centre but says at-risk young people remain in a harmful unit in the meantime.

WA Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan announced last week that Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan would examine the allegations of abuse made by Amnesty International that include some children being held in solitary confinement for long periods.

Amnesty International indigenous rights manager Tammy Solonec said it was a positive step to see the minister had listened to concerns.

"However, right now young people are still being held in the harmful intensive support unit at acute risk of further trauma," she said.

"Getting these young people out of this damaging environment is an urgent priority. The unit must be shut down until the inquiry releases its findings."

Mr Logan told AAP the inspector's office had not called for the unit to be shut down.

"Based on my discussions with the inspector and the department, the unit will continue to provide the intensive supervision that some detainees need," he said.

"It is a unit that in some ways has more resources dedicated to it than the other units including psychological support, education, recreation and external visits."

Mr Logan has repeatedly insisted no children are kept in solitary confinement and the union representing staff has also rejected the claims.