The WA Government says it will run a comprehensive review of the state's juvenile justice system.

Several WA communities are struggling with high youth crime rates, and some residents feel detention is not deterring offenders.

WA Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston says the review of the state's Young Offenders Act will focus on whether juvenile offenders are being effectively rehabilitated and diverted.

“We need to make sure the Young Offenders Act is fit for purpose,” Mr Johnston said.

“It's a nearly 30-year-old piece of legislation - we have to make sure that it's contemporary.”

Mr Johnston said diversion it still the state’s priority, but it must also focus on community protection.

“We've taken account of all the issues that are out there in the community, of course,” he said.

“Violent young offenders need to be held accountable for their behaviour.

“But equally … custodial areas are very complex areas of policy and have to make sure that the legislation is right.”

One major focus of the review is the over-representation of young Aboriginal people in detention, as well as the impacts of cognitive disabilities such as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder on young offenders.

WA's only youth detention centre at Banksia Hill has come under criticism for inhumane conditions, staffing issues and the recent transfer of a number of high-risk offenders to the maximum security prison at Casuarina.

Psychologist, advocate and former West Australian of the Year Tracy Westerman says the government's proposed review may not obtain vital evidence of the trauma the system is causing.

“Nothing like having a review/inquiry/royal commission rather than taking practical action on the significant issues identified by multiple reports in relation to the inhumane treatment of kids in prison,” she told reporters.