A Noongar and Torres Strait Islander man was left in his cell, where he was able to take his own life, because there was nowhere else for him to go. WARNING: Distressing content
Sarah Steger
A WA Coroner has found that an Aboriginal teen prisoner’s life could have been saved had culturally-safe care been provided to him.
An Acacia Prison guard has broken down in court while reliving the moment he discovered Aboriginal man Stanley Jon Inman in a critical condition in a locked storage room.
An Indigenous man who hanged himself from his cell door in Acacia Prison had been giving away his possessions in the weeks before his death, it has emerged.
The grandmother of a First Nations woman who died after losing consciousness while being handcuffed by police, said they have ‘no hope of things ever changing’.
Brianna Dugan
Journalist Rangi Hirini reflects on the Blak Deaths in Custody series as the special five-part investigation comes to an end.
Rangi Hirini
Journalist Rangi Hirini has offered a candid reflection on the death of a young woman who died in custody in her hometown, discussing honestly the impact it had on her.
The Pilbara death of Ms Dhu was described as a ‘tragedy of the highest order’ and sparked renewed passion among the Blak community which felt she’d still be alive if recommendations were implemented.
‘Terrible’. ‘Wholly unnecessary’. ‘Avoidable’. These were the words used to describe the horrific 2008 case of Aboriginal elder Mr Ward, left to die in a prison van that heated to 56C.
The hopes of turning around the horrible statistics of the 1980s and 1990s — tied to the implementation of the royal commission — are fading. But it must end.
When John Pat was brutally killed, this small red-dirt town had every reason to give up. But its strength to move forward is a reminder to us all about resilience.
WATCH: In part five we examine the changes sparked by Ms Dhu’s death and witness the growth of protests for change on the 30th anniversary of the royal commission’s report.
WATCH: In part four Ms Dhu’s grandmother vows she will not give up on getting justice for her ‘baby’, as we go back to 2014 and take an in-depth look at everything that was wrong in Ms Dhu’s case.
WATCH: In part three John Quigley, the police union lawyer during the John Pat trial, discusses how an horrific death in custody which resulted in him switching sides to be an advocate for Mr Ward.
WATCH: In part two the only Aboriginal commissioner, Pat Dodson, talks about his experiences, the recommendations made 30 years ago, and how we as a nation can move forward.
WATCH: In part one of Blak Deaths In Custody the family of John Pat open up like never before as they relive the story of the boy who sparked it all.
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