media release
DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE (WA) Inc.
119 MATHIESON RD ASCOT WA 6104
Tel: 61(0)8 9277-1533 Mobile: 041993-0375 Fax: 61(0)8 9478-4204
Monday 29 November 1999
Another Aboriginal man dies in WA prison custody
Murray Jones, the new Chairperson of the WA Deaths In Custody Watch
Committee, today expressed his sorrow and his anger at the death of yet
another Aboriginal man in prison custody.
"How many more of our people have to die in custody, before politicians
decide that enough blood has been spilt and enough tears have been shed?"
Said Mr Jones.
"This year alone, six Aboriginal men have died in police or prison cells in
Western Australia. That is a shameful statistic which rivals the rate at
which our people were dieing in custody before the Royal Commission Into
Aboriginal Deaths In Custody."
"We know that the Royal Commission recommendations have never been
implemented. We know that inquest after inquest has been held since the
Royal Commission and nothing has changed."
"Was this man medically assessed when entering Canning Vale Remand Centre
and has he received appropriate medical treatment whilst in prison? These
are some of the questions we will be asking on behalf of his family and
community."
"All of the correctional facilities in Western Australia have been
stretched to the limit. The prison system is in chaos and both prisoners
and their families are filled with despair."
"As more and more citizens are squeezed into the jails, is the Government
capable of meeting the legal duty care to ensure the safety and well-being
of every inmate?"
"We call on the Government to introduce urgent legislation to reduce the
shocking incarceration figures in this State and for prison to be used as a
sanction of last resort for all citizens."
Media contacts:
Murray Jones, Chairperson, (08) 9265 6934, or
(08)9265 6940 after 2pm
Kath Mallott, Executive Officer. (08) 9277 1533, or 0419930375
Deaths In Custody Watch Committee (WA) Inc)
119 Mathieson Road, REDCLIFFE, Western Australia, 6104
"The beginning of the cause of deaths in custody does not occur within the
confines of police and prison cells or in the minds of the victims.
Initially it starts in the minds of those who allow it to happen."
Elder Dr. Jack Davis (OA, MBE)
* [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.omen.net.au/~dicwc *
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LL:PR: Another Aboriginal man dies in WA prison custody
Deaths In Custody Watch Commitee (WA) Inc. Mon, 29 Nov 1999 11:15:23 +0800
