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	Aboriginal Law Bulletin

Royal Commission Inquiry: Kingsley Dixon

(died on 9 July 1987)

The Royal Commission has recently heard evidence which indicates that Kingsley Dixon was subjected to regular harassment and that in their dealings with Dixon, prison officers had abrogated prison regulations and procedures.

The following is a brief summary of that evidence:

• Several prisoners gave evidence of the harsh treatment Dixon received from prison officers, which included the allocation of extra work such as picking up rubbish and being disciplined for minor breaches of the rules.
• Detective Senior Constable Janne Stevens stated that A Wing, where Dixon was briefly detained for punishment on the day of his death, was used as a 'stand over tactic' against inmates.
• The strip-search and detention of Kingsley Dixon in A Wing on the day of his death was contrary to prison regulations.
• Detective Stevens revealed inconsistencies in a prison officer's account of how the noose found around Kingsley Dixon's neck had been released; she also gave evidence that statements made to her by ‘prison sources’ indicated that Dixon did not appear suicidal on July 9.
• Inmates of Adelaide jail stated that contrary to prison practices, Dixon was not placed under observation on July 9, when drugs were found in his possession. Counsel to the Commission, Geoff Eames, said that Dixon's death could have been avoided if he had been placed under observation or referred to a Doctor.