2021-03-09
Evidence in the Budget Estimates hearing into Corrections this morning has disclosed that two First Nations people have died in NSW prisons in the last week alone. One of these deaths, that of a mid-50s First Nations woman in Silverwater Women’s prison on 5th March has been identified as an unnatural death.
The Department of Corrections this morning confirmed they have a policy of not proactively informing the public of any deaths in custody because of claimed concerns this "causes public angst". Under further questioning, Corrective Services admitted that between 1 July 2020 to 5 March 2021 there were 24 deaths in prisons, of which 3 were identified as unnatural and 4 were First Nations inmates.
Greens MP and Aboriginal Justice spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
“Two First Nations deaths in NSW prisons in a week isn’t just a coincidence, it’s a predictable outcome of a racist criminal justice system.
“Last week’s tragic death in Silverwater Prison was described by Corrective Services as an “unnatural death”.
“Corrective Services acknowledge that the likely cause of death was hanging in a cell with known hanging points.
“It is utterly unacceptable that neither the Minister or the Commissioner inform the public about deaths in custody, and we only find out about these tragic deaths through persistent questioning in estimates.
“Two First Nations deaths in a single week is devastating and the Government’s new policy of secrecy only adds to the growing concern about First Nations deaths in custody.
“The Government’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement has not been to address deaths in custody but to hide them from public scrutiny.
“We understand that making changes to the prison system takes time but with multi billion dollar annual budgets it is inconceivable that Corrective Services haven’t managed to remove hanging points from all cells 30 years after the recommendation.
“Now thirty years after the Royal Commission it is astounding that First Nations inmates are being placed in cells with known hanging points,” Mr Shoebridge said.
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