NCJ Number
139027
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The Australian Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody found that Aboriginal people died in custody at a proportionate rate more than 20 times higher than non- Aboriginal people and that those numbers are approximately equal to their relative proportions in police custody and prison. In response to the report, the Community Services Victoria (CSV) has implemented procedures designed to prevent Aboriginal deaths, particularly suicides, in custody.
Abstract
The Commission found that the most common cause of death in custody was suicide. More Aborigines died in police custody than in prison, and a high proportion of those dying were adolescents. CSV has implemented a number of modifications to its Youth Training Center (YTC) cells and equipment in response to the Commission report to reduce the relative risk of suicide. A new package of staff training is a key element to preventing suicide in the YTCs. Training is provided in these areas: first aid, self-restraint and self- defense techniques, Aboriginal history and culture, and CSV instructions for safe management of Aborigines admitted to YTCs. Clarification of staff responsibilities is being reinforced by training to ensure a positive approach to implementing these initiatives. Other general CSV justice system initiatives include statistical information collection on young Aboriginal offenders, rural youth support programs, and Community Justice Panels. 9 references