Document Actions
Yet another death in custody:NSW joins WA in scandalous contempt for prisoner welfare
Saturday 14 November 2009
The death of a minimum-security prisoner while being transported from Bathurst Gaol to Mannus Correctional Centre near Tumbarumba in southern NSW raises serious concerns about the way in which the transport of Prisoners in NSW is managed.
Mark Holcroft, aged 59, died on August 27 this year following a heart attack suffered while in transit in a prison van. Despite attempts by fellow prisoners to seek assistance for him, prison officers did not stop the vehicle or respond to prisoners’ efforts to raise the alarm.
“Mr Mark Holcroft was in custody, we are told, for breaching a community service order,” said Sylvia Hale MLC, Greens spokesperson on Corrective Services.
“He asked for his heart medication before leaving Bathurst for Tumbarumba. He was not given it. Nor was he or any other detainee being transported to Mannus with him provided with water during the 6-hour, 400 km trip.
“The apparent denial by the prison transport staff of water, toilet breaks, and air conditioning for the prisoners during a journey of over 400km also raises serious questions about the way in which prisoner transport is managed within NSW.
“Despite Mr Holcroft collapsing and prisoners desperately trying to raise the alarm, the escort guards ignored their pleas.”
“For the Minister for Corrective Services, Mr Robertson, to say in Parliament “officers take the safety and security of inmates they are transporting very seriously” is simply not borne out by stories that have emerged regarding the death of this prisoner.
“This man, whilst not Aboriginal himself, has a partner who is, and she deserves answers about the way he died”, said Ray Jackson from the Indigenous Social Justice Association.
“Prisoners who shared that last journey with Mr Holcroft have described in appalling detail the events of that day, and both they and some prison staff are deeply traumatised by the manner of his death,” said Mr Jackson.
On 29 October 2009, Ms Hale asked the Minister for Corrective Services, John Robertson, about the conditions under which prisoners were transported:
In light of the death in Western Australia in January 2008 of Mr Ward in the back of a prison van while being transported from Laverton to Kalgoorlie, has the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services reviewed the suitability and conditions of its prisoner transport vehicles and the conditions under which prisoners are transported? What procedures has the department put in place to ensure that when requested by prisoners air-conditioning is turned on or off, medication is provided, and that on long trips—for example, from Sydney to Bathurst—water, meals and comfort stops are available?
“The Minister responded that he was:
‘horrified when I heard about what happened to that individual in Western Australia. I assure the House that that Department of Corrective Services takes its obligations to its inmates and their safety very seriously’.
“He went on to assure the House that:
“The vehicles are secure and air-conditioned. The secure compartments in the trucks have closed-circuit TV cameras and the prison officers have a screen on the dashboard so that they can monitor the inmates. If anything untoward does occur in the back of the vehicles, it can be dealt with quickly.”
“Minister Robertson was undoubtedly aware of Mr Holcroft’s death some two months before he made these remarks,” said Ms Hale.
“For him to assure the House that ‘The department ensures that inmates travel safely and securely’ was heartlessly and obscenely hypocritical.
“I call upon both the Minister and the Commissioner of Corrective Services, Ron Woodham, to resign,” Ms Hale said.
Ms Hale and Mr Jackson have also called on the Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Holcroft’s death, to immediately review all procedures relating to the transfer of prisoners within NSW, and for prison staff involved in transport duties to receive special training.
Further information:
Colin Hesse (02) 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124
Ray Jackson: (02) 9318 0947 or 0415 858 264
Question and John Robertson’s reply, 29 October 2009:
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20091029030
Questions on notice to John Robertson, lodged 10 November 2009:
Sylvia Hale MLC Ph. 02 9230 3030 Email: 