An Indigenous man has died at Cessnock Correctional Centre on Tuesday,marking the seventh First Nation death in Australian jails since March 2.Credit:Andrew Meares
“Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police are investigating the incident,” the spokeswoman said. “All deaths in custody are subject to a coronial inquest.”
The death marks the seventh death in custody since March 2,four of which have occurred in NSW.
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“There is a deepening breakdown in the relationship between First Nations communities and prison and police authorities in NSW and this death will only broaden that divide,” NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for justice and police,David Shoebridge said. “Today another First Nations family is mourning the loss of a loved one who has died while in the ‘care’ of the justice system.
“It cannot be accepted that First Nations people routinely die in custody.
“Right now there is also a need to make the coronial process culturally safe for First Nations families so that the seven families who have lost a relative in the last six weeks are not further traumatised and get the answers they need.”
An Aboriginal man died at Port Phillip Prison in Melbourne’s west on Monday night from a medical episode. A statement from the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety said a smoking ceremony for the man was being arranged.