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More action to prevent deaths in custody illnesses,” says Dr Grant, senior lecturer and researcher at the ey recommendations of University of Adelaide. the Royal Commission “The Royal into Aboriginal Deaths in Commission identified Custody (RCIADIC) are hanging as the primary yet to be addressed 23 years method of suicide in after the report was handed prisons, and as a result, down, according to University facilities across Australia of Adelaide architectural commenced screening anthropologist, Dr Elizabeth and removing ligature Grant. points in cells. Dr Grant’s paper, published “A number of physical this week in the Australian changes were made to Indigenous Law Review, evaluated Queensland correctional Australian prisons following the centres, including the RCIADIC (1987–1991) and found removal of bars on that while there have been some cell windows. And cell improvements in correctional design guidelines – facilities’ infrastructure and focused on building safe, services, more can be done to make practical and liveable prisons safer. cell environments – were “The number of Indigenous developed for Victorian prisons. deaths in custody continues to But in South Australia, the coroner be unacceptably high. Growing has made repeated requests to numbers of Indigenous prisoners have hanging points removed have chronic illnesses, substance from prisons, with the most recent abuse problems, learning and request in 2013. cognitive disabilities and mental “The Western Australian Department of Corrective Services also made some positive changes with the introduction of a regional prison policy. This policy sees Aboriginal prisoners, wherever possible, serve their sentence near their home region. This policy could be adopted in other states,” she says. Dr Grant says that while some states have Cartoon Aboriginal court appearance. Image: human implemented effective rights.gov.au
supplied by Uni of Adelaide 10 May 2014
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John Pat mother at his plaque. Image: indigmedia.org.au
policies and initiatives to address the predominately male Indigenous prisoners’ health, more needs to be done to address minority populations like Indigenous women and young people. “The rate at which women are being incarcerated in Australia has increased dramatically in the last two decades. Women are a neglected and vulnerable group and the design of prisons should be conducive to their needs. “Juvenile detention is an area also needing the attention of correctional agencies, researchers and designers. Culturally-sensitive rehabilitation is vital for assisting young people to develop the appropriate life skills. “Prison accommodation needs to be flexible, culturally appropriate, promote human interaction and enable Indigenous people to remain connected to their family, land and community,” she says.
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