media release
DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE (WA) Inc.
207 Beaufort St Perth Western Australia 6000
PO Box 8196 Perth WA 6849
Tel: 61(0)8 9227-5751 Mobile: 041993-0375
Fax: 61(0)8 9227-5593 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
URL: http://www.deathsincustody.com/
25th September 2000
Aboriginal Deaths In Custody Remembrance - John Pat Day
The death of 16 yr old John Pat, who died of closed head injuries, in a
police cell in Roebourne (WA) on the night of 28 September 1983, was
instrumental in bringing about a groundswell of demand for action to
address
Aboriginal deaths in custody.
The Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody (RCIADIC)
established
that John Pat had been assaulted by police in the police yard following his
arrest. He was then placed in an unconscious or semi-comatose state in a
cell and left there until he was found dead during a cell check.
Each year on the anniversary of his death, we remember all people who have
died in custody.
The RCIADIC was established on 16 October 1987 and published its findings
in
April 1991 making 339 recommendations. Those 339 recommendations
highlighted key areas of reform urgently required, particularly within the
criminal justice system. Reforms which, if achieved, would not only reduce
Aboriginal deaths in custody but would also significantly reduce the rate
at
which Aboriginal people were being incarcerated in this country.
Over a decade on and WA continues to have the highest rate of Aboriginal
imprisonment, and sadly, we also have the highest rate of Aboriginal
juvenile detention. In other words nothing has changed! "Since the Royal
Commission, 112 people have died in custody in WA and this must be a
damning
indictment of WA Governments and instrumentalities" said Murray Jones,
Chairperson of the Watch Committee, when he announced details of this
year's
Deaths In Custody Remembrance Ceremony.
Media Invitation to attend:
Where: Deaths In Custody Memorial at Fremantle Prison
When: 11.00am on THURSDAY 28th September 2000
Media Contact: Murray Jones 08 9265-6668 040-719-1469
Kath Mallott 08 9227-5751 041-993-0375
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