Reconciliation and Social Justice Library

COUNCIL FOR ABORIGINAL RECONCILIATION ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY

REGIONAL REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO INDIVIDUAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA VOLUME 1

• REGIONAL REPORT OF INQUIRY INTO INDIVIDUAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA VOLUME 1
  • PART ONE: SUMMARY
    • 1.1 INTRODUCTION
    • 1.2 MY FINDINGS - AN OVERVIEW
      • 1.2.1 CAUSE OF DEATH ACCORDING TO CATEGORY
      • 1.2.2 NATURAL CAUSES/MEDICAL CASES
      • 1.2.3 SUICIDE/HANGING/SELF HARM CASES
      • 1.2.4 OTHER CASES INVOLVING VIOLENCE
      • 1.2.5 THE LOCATION OF THE DEATHS
      • 1.2.6 LOCATIONS AROUND THE STATE
  • PART TWO: THE ROYAL COMMISSION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
    • 2.1 THE ROYAL COMMISSION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
      • 2.1.1 ROLE OF COMMISSIONERS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
      • 2.1.2 CONDUCT OF INQUIRIES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
    • 2.2 PROCEDURES AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION
      • 2.2.1 CASE INQUIRIES
      • 2.2.2 UNDERLYING ISSUES
      • 2.2.3 ABORIGINAL ISSUES UNIT
      • 2.2.4 CRIMINOLOGY RESEARCH UNIT
      • 2.2.5 SUBMISSIONS
      • 2.2.6 EXHIBITS
      • 2.2.7 CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS
      • 2.2.8 CONFERENCES
    • 2.3 DIFFICULTIES OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
      • 2.3.1 CHALLENGES
        • 2.3.1.1 Terms of Reference
        • 2.3.1.2 Problems of Interpretation
          • Aboriginality
          • Custody
          • Deaths in Hospital
      • 2.3.2 THE APPROACH TAKEN TO THE COMMISSION BY THE WA GOVERNMENT AND THE POLICE UNION
        • 2.3.2.1 The Government of Western Australia
        • 2.3.2.2 WA Police Union of Workers
  • PART THREE: THE DEATHS
    • 3.1 PROFILES OF THE DECEASED
      • Introduction
      • Charles Sydney Michael (W/1)
      • Robert Walker (W/2)
      • Christine Jones (W/3)
      • Wayne John Dooler(W/4)
      • Paul Fanner (W/5)
      • Darryl Horace Garlett (W/7)
      • Jimmy Njanji (W/8)
      • The Aboriginal Man who died at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (W/9)
      • Nita Blankett (W/l0)
      • Albert Dougal (W/11)
      • Hugh Wodulan (W/12)
      • Stanley Brown (W/13)
      • Misel Waigana (W/14)
      • Benjamin William Morrison (W/15)
      • Robert Anderson (W/16)
      • Bernard Albert McGrath (W/17)
      • Kim Polak (W/18)
      • John Peter Pat (W/19)
      • Edward Cameron (W/20)
      • The Young Man who died in custody at Geraldton on 31 December 1988 (W/21)
      • Graham Trevor Walley (W/22)
      • Ginger Samson (W/23)
      • Dixon Green (W/24)
      • Donald Harris (W/25)
      • Steven Glenn Michael (W/26)
      • Ricci John Vicenti (W27)
      • Ronald Mack Ugle (W/28)
      • Donald Chatunalgi (W/29)
      • Faith Marilyn Barnes (W/30))
      • Bobby Bates (W/31)
      • Roy Norman Walker (W/32)
      • Milton Wells (W/33)
    • 3.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF DECEASED PERSONS
      • 3.2.1 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
        • 3.2.1.1 Age and gender
        • 3.2.1.2 marital Status
        • 3.2.1.3 Employment
        • 3.2.1.4 Highest Education
        • 3.2.1.5 Community
        • 3.2.1.6 Childhood Separation
      • 3.2.2 IDENTITY
      • 3.2.3 LAST APPREHENSION AND DETENTION
        • 3.2.3.1 Place where last taken into custody
        • 3.2.3.2 Reason for apprehension
        • 3.2.3.3 Most serious offence leading to last detention
        • 3.2.3.4 Reason for bail denial
        • 3.2.3.5 Physical condition on apprehension
        • 3.2.3.6 Observed level of intoxication on apprehension
        • 3.2.3.7 State of consciousness on apprehension
        • 3.2.3.8 Demeanour on apprehension
      • 3.2.4 CUSTODY
        • 3.2.4.1 Custodial authority and legal status
        • 3.2.4.2 Prison custody
        • 3.2.4.3 Outside contacts
        • 3.2.4.4 Durations of custody prior to death
      • 3.2.5 DETAILS OF DEATH
        • 3.2.5.1 Custodial authority
        • 3.2.5.2 Place of Death
        • 3.2.5.3 Time of Death
        • 3.2.5.4. Maanner and cause of Death
        • 3.2.5.5 Resuscitation attempts by custodial staff and/or prisoners
        • 3.2.5.6. Level of intoxication at time of death
        • 3.2.5.7. Time since last seen alive
        • 3.2.5.8. State of consciousness when last observed (e.g. awake, asleep but easily aroused, could be roused with difficulty, unable to be roused)
        • 3.2.5.9 Demeanour when last observed (e.g., normal, aggressive, distressed, depressed)
    • 3.3 ANALYSIS OF THE NATURAL CAUSES/MEDICAL CASES
      • 3.3.1 BACKGROUND
      • 3.3.2 INJURY
      • 3.3.3 DEATH FROM DISEASE OR UNDERLYING CAUSE
    • 3.4 ANALYSIS OF THE HANGING/SELF HARM CASES
      • 3.4.1 CHARACTERISTICS
        • 1. Background
        • 2. Death
      • 3.4.2 IS AN EXPLANATION POSSIBLE?
        • Christine Jones
        • Hugh Wodulan
        • Paul Farmer
        • Stanley Brown
        • Bernard McGrath
        • Ben Morrison
        • Edward Cameron
        • Graham Walley
        • Wongi
      • 3.4.3 DISCUSSION
      • 3.4.4 PREVENTION OF DEATH IN CUSTODY
    • 3.5 OTHER CASES INVOLVING VIOLENCE
      • Charles Michael
      • Robert Walker
      • John Peter Pat
      • Ricci Vicenti
  • PART FOUR: OVER-REPRESENTATION OF ABORIGINALS IN CUSTODY
    • 4.1 NATURE OF THE OVER-REPRESENTATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
      • 4.1.1 THE OFFENCES
        • 4.1.1.1 Offence Histories of Individuals
          • Juvenile Offence Histories
          • Adult Offence Histories
        • 4.1.1.2 Offences for which Individuals detained at time of Death
          • Prison Custody
          • Police Custody
        • 4.1.1.3 Offences for which Aboriginal People are Detained in Western Australia
          • Summary
          • Police Custody
          • Kalgoorlie
          • Offences - Gender
          • Prison Custody
          • Offences and Gender
          • National and Interstate Comparison
      • 4.1.2 ABORIGINALS IN POLICE AND PRISON CUSTODY
        • 4.1.2.1 Summary
        • 4.1.2.2 Sources of Data
        • 4.1.2.3 Police Custody
          • Gender
          • Age
          • Length of Time Spent in Police Custody
        • 4.1.2.4 Prison Custody
          • Proportion of Aboriginal Prisoners
          • Over-representation of Aboriginals in Western Australia Prisons
          • Gender Difference
          • Age Distribution
          • Education Level
          • Employment Status
          • Duration of Imprisonment
          • Fine Default
      • 4.1.3 CAUSES OF HIGH ARREST/DETENTION RATES
        • 4.1.3.1 Police Resources
          • Financial Resources
        • 4.1.3.2 Police Discretion
          • Constraints on the Exercise of Discretion
          • Training in Relation to Discretion
          • Discretion in Relation to Policing and Charging Practices
        • 4.1.3.3 Alcohol as a Cause of High Arrest/Detention Rates
      • 4.1.4 JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
        • 4.1.4.1 Introduction
        • 4.1.4.2 The Extent of the Disproportion of Aboriginal Youths in the Juvenile Justice System
          • Sources of Statistical Information
          • Police Custody
          • Children's Panel and Court
        • 4.1.4.3 The Offences
        • 4.1.4.4 How are Youths Dealt with by the Courts?
        • 4.1.4.5 Juveniles in Institutions
        • 4.1.4.6 Police Policies and Practices
          • Policing Practices
          • Arrest
          • Questioning of Juveniles
        • 4.1.4.7 Bail
        • 4.1.4.8 Legal Services
          • Aboriginal Legal Service
          • Legal Aid Commission
          • Youth Legal Service
          • No Representation
          • Duty Counsel Scheme
          • 24 Hour Legal Service
          • Provision of Legal Services at the Children's Court
        • 4.1.4.9 Children's Court and Children's (Suspended Proceedings) Panel
          • Location of Children's Courts
          • The Use of the Children's (Suspended Proceedings) Panel
          • Police Prosecutors
          • Magistrates and Justices of the Peace
        • 4.1.4.10 Sentencing Options and Practices
    • 4.2 AVOIDANCE OF CUSTODY
      • 4.2.1 ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT/ALTERNATIVES TO ARREST
      • 4.2.2 BAIL
        • 4.2.2.1 Function of Bail
        • 4.2.2.2 Bail in Western Australia
        • 4.2.2.3 The Western Australian Law Reform Commission's Report
        • 4.2.2.4 All Offences Bailable and Authority to Grant Bail
        • 4.2.2.5 Qualified Right to Bail
        • 4.2.2.6 Bail After Conviction
        • 4.2.2.7 Grounds for Refusing Bail
        • 4.2.2.8 Factors Relevant to Consideration of Grounds for Refusal
        • 4.2.2.9 Where Pre-Trial Detention Could Exceed the Potential Penalty for the Offence
        • 4.2.2.10 The Need for More Information Relevant to a Bail Decision
        • 4.2.2.11 Conditions of Release on Bail
        • 4.2.2.12 Conditions of Release on Bail Other Than the Defendant's Undertaking
        • 4.2.2.13 The Requirement of a Surety as a Condition of Bail
        • 4.2.2.14 Other Reforms
        • 4.2.2.15 Bail Centres and a Bail Hostel
        • 4.2.2.16 Home Detention
        • 4.2.2.17 Other Conditions
        • 4.2.2.18 Conclusion
      • 4.2.3 REMOVAL OF INCENTIVES TO ARREST OR DETAIN IN CUSTODY
        • 4.2.3.1 Meal Allowance Scheme
        • 4.2.3.2 Payment of Wives for Searching Female Prisoners
      • 4.2.4 LEGAL SYSTEM
        • 4.2.4.1 Introduction
        • 4.2.4.2 The Right to Legal Representation
        • 4.2.4.3 Understanding of Aboriginal Culture, History and Law by Legal Practitioners
        • 4.2.4.4 Aboriginal Peoples Understanding of the Western Legal Process
        • 4.2.4.5 Court Staff in Western Australia
          • Location of Courts - Clerk of Courts
        • 4.2.4.6 Justices of the Peace In Courts of Petty Sessions
          • Sentencing by Justices of the Peace
          • One Justice Sitting Alone
          • One Aboriginal Man's Experience: Ginger Sampson
      • 4.2.5 SENTENCING
        • 4.2.5.1 Principles of Punishment
          • General
          • Retribution
          • Deterrence
          • Prevention
          • Rehabilitation
          • Reparation
          • Imprisonment
          • Aborigines in Custody
        • 4.2.5.2 Non-Custodial Sentences
          • Monetary Penalties
          • Incidence
          • Fine Defaults and Communiity Work and Development Orders
          • Community Based Corrections
          • Western Australia
          • Parole
          • Probation
          • Community Service Orders
          • Home Detention
          • Court Drug Diversion Programmes
  • PART FIVE PREVENTION OF DEATH
    • 5.1 PREVENTION OF DEATH - GENERAL ISSUES
      • 5.1.1 INTERIM REPORT AND VINCENT REPORT
      • 5.1.2 CHANGES IMPLEMENTED SINCE COMMENCEMENT OF ROYAL COMMISSION
      • 5.1.3 DUTY OF CARE
        • 5.1.3.1 Criminal Negligence
        • 5.1.3.2 Common Law Negligence
        • 5.1.3.3 Medical Care of Prisoners
        • 5.1.3.4 Duty to Resuscitate
    • 5.2 PREVENTION OF DEATHS - POLICE CUSTODY
      • 5.2.1 POLICE CELLS/LOCKUPS
        • 5.2.1.1 Size of Police Station and Lockup
        • 5.2.1.2 Cell Design and Safety
          • Midland Police Station
          • Carnarvon Lockup
          • Port Hedland Lockup
          • Broome Lockup
          • Geraldton Lockup
          • Kalgoorlie Police Station
          • East Perth Lockup
          • Padded Cells
      • 5.2.2 ASSESSMENT AND SCREENING
        • 5.2.2.1 Why is it important?
        • 5.2.2.2 What the Cases Have Shown - Past Inadequacies
          • More recent cases
        • 5.2.2.3 Current Assessment Practices of the Police
          • Responsibility for Assessment
          • Screening Form
          • Assessment of Intoxicated Persons
        • 5.2.2.4 What is Required
      • 5.2.3 DETENTION OF UNCONSCIOUS PERSONS OR PERSONS WHO ARE NOT EASILY ROUSED
        • What the Cases Have Shown
        • Current Procedures
    • 5.2.4 COMPUTER SYSTEM
      • Should the Warning System be Expanded?