25 September 2017

Another death in custody shame

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has reiterated its call for a fundamental rethink of the criminal justice system in New South Wales after the death of a young Aboriginal man in custody at Tamworth last week.

NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See and Councillor for Northern Region Charles Lynch said they were dismayed to hear of the loss of a young life.

"The latest death in custody is a reminder of the need for better partnerships between the criminal justice system and Aboriginal organisations and for community-centred alternatives to prison.

"While Aboriginal peoples account for only three percent of our nation's population, they make up 27 percent of Australia's adult prison population.

"It's devastating for members of our community to go through the trauma of losing our young people in the prison system.

"And it's frustrating that the imprisonment rate continues to soar more than 25 years after a Royal Commission was held into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

"Our thoughts and hearts go out to the young man's family at this time."

Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291