A Victorian coroner claims that due to inadequate jail procedures, correctional service members watched an Indigenous prisoner die in his cell rather than providing assistance. Coroner David Ryan’s findings, which were presented on Monday, indicated that a number of mistakes were made before Josh Kerr, 32, passed away in Port Phillip Prison on August 10, 2022.
After taking a lot of the narcotic ice, Mr. Kerr buzzed the staff over a cell intercom, stating, “I’m dying.” The court heard that through a cell trap door and a security camera, prison officers observed Mr. Kerr growing more unpredictable and angry. However, due to a jail directive stating that Mr. Kerr’s cell door could only be unlocked in the presence of Tactical Operations Group (TOG) officials, nothing was done to care for him.
According to Mr. Ryan, Mr. Kerr fell to the ground around 7:43 p.m. and was last seen at 8:01 p.m. At 8:10 p.m., a “Code Black” was called, but it took the TOG an additional eight minutes to get to the cell. At 8:41 p.m., Mr. Kerr was pronounced dead and paramedics were called. A medical panel subsequently concluded that the high dosage of medications was the cause of his death.
According to Mr. Ryan, there was a “disproportionate focus on security concerns” in the case of Mr. Kerr. “Staff do get assaulted in prison and their past experiences may influence their future judgement,” he stated. “A TOG directive, however, shouldn’t stop a prisoner from getting medical care. “Josh’s passing was a preventable tragedy which has devastated his family and community.”
In a customary smoking ceremony, many of Mr. Kerr’s friends and relatives attended the court on Monday before it started.
