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/ Tuesday, 23 May 2000 ANOTHER DEATH IN WA JAIL: Second death in 2 days Another young man died in the WA prison system today. He was a 27-year-old inmate of the Albany Regional Prison, who was found hanging when his cell was unlocked this morning. This is the third prison death to occur in 2 weeks, and The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee holds grave concern for the safety and well-being of all inmates in the WA system, "This is a shameful statistic that again highlights the chaotic conditions that exist within the jails in Western Australia," Said Kath Mallott, Executive Officer of the Watch Committee. "Inmates are unable to access adequate health and psychiatric treatment because the jails are so overcrowded and health services are stretched to the limit. This not only puts prisoners at risk but has also put enormous strain on prison medical personnel who are struggling to cope with the increase in prison musters." The Watch Committee today renewed its call for the Ombudsman to immediately release the findings of his investigation into the causes of prison deaths in Western Australia. His investigation was launched on 7 February 1998 and was due to report to Parliament in September 1998. The parliament and the people of WA are still waiting for his findings to be tabled. This organisation has contacted his office every month since September 1998 and questioned the relevance of a report that is so out of date. In view of the 'deathly silence' from the Ombudsman we call for a Royal Commission into the causes of prison deaths in WA. The Government must move immediately to reduce the imprisonment rate in this State and to implement Recommendation 92 of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody, which states that prison should only be used as a sanction of last resort. Media Contact: Kath Mallott Executive Officer 08 9227-5751 041993-0375 "To monitor and work to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody" 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.deathsincustody.com/ -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink