It is understood that the superintendent of Western Australia's controversial youth detention facility, Banksia Hill, has been moved on from the position.

An email seen by National Indigenous Times from Mr Reid addressed to Banksia staff states:

"This email is to inform you that I will no longer be working at Banksia Hill. This is not a choice I made. It was made for me. I'd like to personally thank you for your professionalism and dedication in extremely difficult circumstances."

A Department of Justice spokesperson said "the Superintendent has been acting in the role at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, away from his substantive position, for a little over a year".

"The Director of Youth Services will act in the position from next week to cover planned leave," she said.

Banksia Hill has long been the centre of controversy. A major riot rocked the centre in 2013 and there has been a string of disturbances since.

Most recently leaked CCTV footage from within the centre drew national attention to WA's youth justice crisis, the Supreme Court ruled that the centre's use of prolonged lockdowns were unlawful, and a class action involving hundreds of current and former detainees began in the federal court.

The Supreme Court ruling led Aboriginal Legal Service WA director of legal services Peter Collins to call for corrective services minister Bill Johnston to be stripped of his portfolio.

In November the state government announced a funding package for upgrades and more staff at Banksia Hill after a long-running campaign and a public outcry over the CCTV footage.

A source said Mr Reid had originally "been moved there (to Banksia Hill) in very difficult circumstances".