Deaths in custody continue

Issue 

Deaths in custody continue

By Chris Spindler

The death of 28-year-old Fiona Gibbs on July 19 from an alleged hanging incident which occurred on July 17 at the Brewarrina lock-up brings the NSW total of indigenous deaths in custody to 37 since May 30, 1989.

A new organisation, the Indigenous Social Justice Association, is pressuring the police commissioner to personally head the investigation of this death. This follows new information which shows that police refused to allow Gibbs to be taken by a relative, that she was left in the cell by herself and that she had a history of self-harm and attempted suicide.

Gibbs was taken from a hotel, placed in a lock-up and a short time later found unconscious. Resuscitation was performed by police and ambulance; she was taken to Brewarrina Hospital and air-lifted in a critical state to Dubbo hospital, where she died.

The Indigenous Social Justice Association stated, "Investigators must ask why our sister was in a lock-up, why she was not monitored by the Brewarrina police, how she hung herself. Had she been properly screened? The questions continue. Again, like all deaths in custody, there are too many questions and not enough answers for the family, community or indigenous people throughout the country.

"Whatever the facts, we must tighten up police procedures for detainees in police cells. We must ascertain that we do not return to the bad old days of deaths in custody in police lock-ups."

The Indigenous Social Justice Association, for non-indigenous activists as well, intends to investigate not only custodial deaths but also deaths in hospitals, mental homes and anywhere there is a duty of care. For further information, phone Ray Jackson 0418 670 804.

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