❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on deaths in custody, particularly concerning Aboriginal people, and the status of coronial inquests. The Minister provides data on deaths in Corrective Services custody, inquest processes, and directs further inquiries to other relevant ministers/courts.
AnsweredQoN 3751Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many deaths in, or associated with, custody have occurred in Western Australia in the last 10 years? (2) How many of those in (1) were Aboriginal people? (3) Will the Minister please table all relevant or suitably redacted information including the name, date and location of each death in custody? (4) How many of those deaths in, or associated with, custody have received, or will receive, a coronial inquest? (5) How many of those deaths in, or associated with, custody are still awaiting a coronial inquest? (6) If none to any in (4), why not? (7) Please table the dates of all scheduled inquests for Aboriginal deaths in or associated with custody? (8) If there is no scheduled inquest for any death, why not? (9) Why is this information not made publicly available by the Department of Corrective Services?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 February 2016
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
92 days
The Department of Corrective Services (the Department) can only provide information on the deaths of people in the custody of the Department at the time of death. Questions relating to deaths in police custody should be referred to the Minister for Police.
(1) Between 25 November 2005 and 11 January 2016 there have been 66 deaths in the Department’s custody.
(2) 25
(3) Deaths in custody during the period 25 November 2005 to 11 January 2016 are listed in the table, including date and location of death. For cultural sensitivities deceased Aboriginal people are referred to as Mr/Ms (Surname).
Cause of death is based on the Coroner’s finding or on the Department’s initial assessment where the inquest has yet to be conducted. The cause of death is listed according to the National Deaths in Custody classifications.
[See tabled paper no.]
(4) Every death of a person in the custody of the Department is subject to a coronial inquest, in accordance with section 22 of the Coroners Act 1996 .
(5) 16 (as at 11 January 2016)
(6) Not applicable.
(7) As at 11 January 2016, there are no inquests scheduled for deaths involving Aboriginal prisoners.
(8) Coronial inquests are scheduled by the Coroner’s Court of WA. Questions regarding the scheduling of inquests should be directed to the Attorney General.
(9) Scheduled inquests are listed on the website of the Coroner’s Court of WA:
http://www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au/I/inquest_list.aspx .
The findings for every inquest into a death in custody are detailed in the Record of Investigation into Death Report, available on the website of the Coroner’s Court of WA:
http://www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au/I/inquest_findings_2015.aspx .
(1) Between 25 November 2005 and 11 January 2016 there have been 66 deaths in the Department’s custody.
(2) 25
(3) Deaths in custody during the period 25 November 2005 to 11 January 2016 are listed in the table, including date and location of death. For cultural sensitivities deceased Aboriginal people are referred to as Mr/Ms (Surname).
Cause of death is based on the Coroner’s finding or on the Department’s initial assessment where the inquest has yet to be conducted. The cause of death is listed according to the National Deaths in Custody classifications.
[See tabled paper no.]
(4) Every death of a person in the custody of the Department is subject to a coronial inquest, in accordance with section 22 of the Coroners Act 1996 .
(5) 16 (as at 11 January 2016)
(6) Not applicable.
(7) As at 11 January 2016, there are no inquests scheduled for deaths involving Aboriginal prisoners.
(8) Coronial inquests are scheduled by the Coroner’s Court of WA. Questions regarding the scheduling of inquests should be directed to the Attorney General.
(9) Scheduled inquests are listed on the website of the Coroner’s Court of WA:
http://www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au/I/inquest_list.aspx .
The findings for every inquest into a death in custody are detailed in the Record of Investigation into Death Report, available on the website of the Coroner’s Court of WA:
http://www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au/I/inquest_findings_2015.aspx .
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