Prison Health Services -- Aboriginal Justice Council 3 December 2001
The State Aboriginal Justice Council (AJC) has argued in the past that the lack of independent health services in WA prisons could lead to cover-ups and a reduced level of health care in the prisons. Deputy Chairperson of the AJC Mr Glen Colbung notes: "The fact that the nursing staff are members of the same union as the prison officer's is a real issue. It appears that this cohesion between the prison officer's and the medical staff actually serves to reduce the integrity of the service provided to the prisoners. Mr Colbung went on to say that the types of remarks quoted in the Sunday Times really adds credibility to the allegations of brutality, especially against Aboriginal prisoners, that led to the 1998 Casuarina Christmas Day Riot. Mr Colbung said "It is somewhat strange that from all the allegations of brutality from prisoners after the 1998 riot and independent witness accounts of the consequences of the alleged assaults, including severe bruising, not one case was substantiated by the Prison medical staff. If the nursing staff lie at will at coronial inquiries, then one can assume they had no problem lying during the internal Department of Justice investigation of the 1998 riot." "Furthermore it really makes you question how many deaths in custody could have been prevented and if in deed cover-ups of a sinister nature actually exist." The AJC calls upon the Attorney General to ensure a thorough and independent investigation is carried out and allegations of brutality during the 1998 riot are reviewed in light of this new evidence. Additionally, it is crucial that the Department of Justice review the existing medical services in WA prisons and consider outsourcing health services to independent providers, giving due consideration to local Aboriginal Medical Services. This is in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Source: Aboriginal Justice Council (WA) --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/ until 11 March, 2001 and Recoznettwo is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznettwo%40green.net.au/ from that date. This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use."
