‘Profoundly distressing’: record number of deaths in custody and police operations in NSW
Summary
New South Wales (NSW) recorded a record 66 deaths in custody and police operations last year, including a high number of Indigenous people. Many deaths were due to self-harm, mainly by hanging, despite efforts to remove hanging points in prisons.Key Facts
- There were 66 deaths in custody and police operations in NSW in the past year, 18 more than the previous year.
- Thirty-nine deaths happened in custody; 12 of those were First Nations (Indigenous) people, the highest number recorded.
- Nine of the 39 custody deaths were intentional self-harm, mostly by hanging.
- NSW has invested $16 million to remove points in cells where people could hang themselves, covering almost 800 cells so far.
- The number of Indigenous people on remand (waiting for trial) has risen by 63% in the last five years.
- Twenty-seven deaths occurred due to police operations, including crashes during police car chases and during sedation or restraint.
- The coroner called the record number of Indigenous deaths “profoundly distressing” and emphasized the impact on families and communities.
- Some deaths from natural causes might still involve preventable issues like care or supervision, which will be investigated in inquests.
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