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/
13th January 2001
Hakea Prison: Smoke Alarms Fail and Prisoner Badly Burned
On Tuesday evening a fire occurred in a prisoner's cell in Unit 3, "C"
Wing, of Hakea Prison. The prisoner is now in Royal Perth Hospital, with
severe burns to his lower body. The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee has
today voiced grave concern about the on-going fire hazards at Hakea Prison,
which put both prisoners and officers at risk.
"Arson squad investigators have confirmed that it is likely that the smoke
alarm in the prisoner's cell did not activate, as prison staff have stated
that they were alerted by other prisoners ringing their emergency call
buttons when smoke was pouring into their cells." Said Kath Mallott,
Executive Officer of the Watch Committee.
"I raised the issue of problems with the smoke alarms in Unit 3 "C" Wing
with senior prison staff the week prior to the fire." Said Ms Mallott
"It is my understanding that the Prisoner was put into, "C" Wing, late
Tuesday afternoon, and became distressed at approximately 8.30pm when his
request for medication was refused. I am advised that he started shouting
and smashing items in his cell, prior to the medical staff and prison
officers leaving "C" Wing and locking the doors for the night."
"Prisoners have stated that within 20 minutes of officers leaving, they
smelt smoke and immediately activated the emergency call buttons in their
cells, advising officers that there was a fire and that a prisoner was
screaming."
"Prisoners have stated that approximately 10 minutes later, 2 medics and 3
officers returned to the Wing, and that by this time their cells were full
of smoke and the prisoner was still screaming for help in the burning cell."
"Prison staff immediately commenced extinguishing the fire in the cell and
medics attended to the injured prisoner. All other prisoners in the Wing
were unlocked and moved to other cells in the Unit. Ambulance staff
attended and took the injured prisoner to hospital. One prison officer
attended hospital for smoke inhalation on Tuesday night."
"Many prisoners were suffering smoke inhalation, sore eyes, sore throat,
headache and nausea, but state that they received no treatment until 8.30
am, the next morning, when they were given Asprin by nursing staff. They
were then given eye drops at 5.30pm. They state that they have not been
seen by a doctor."
"On Wednesday they were spoken to by an Assistant Superintendent who
thanked the prisoners for being "well behaved" during the fire. Later that
day, another Senior member of staff told two prisoners, who complained
about lack of medical treatment that they were lucky that the prison
officers who attended the fire were "kind hearted" and had let them out of
their cells, because the officers had breached procedure in doing so, and
that when confronted by an emergency situation such as this, the officer is
required to think of his own safety and not put himself/herself at risk, by
unlocking the cells of prisoners who may be at risk."
"Prisoners are angry and state that they attempted to question the
Assistant Superintendent about why the injured prisoner was refused
medication, or why he had not been removed to Crisis Care or an Observation
Cell when he had demonstrated such distress within hearing of officers
before the Wing was locked for the night."
"I have spoken to Senior Prison staff and the Arson Squad about the failure
of the smoke alarms and lack of immediate medical treatment for
prisoners." Said Ms Mallott.
"We thought we were going to die in our cells." Said one inmate. "It was
only a matter of time before this would happen. Responding to fire alarms
in here is a joke." Said another.
Media Contact: Kath Mallott 08 9277-5751 041993-0375
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