Veronica Nelson treated inhumanely before jail demise, jail officer concedes

CCTV exhibits Brown, nurse Atheana George and two other prison officers present Nelson with paracetamol though a cell entice door about 1.30am. It was the last time employees noticed her alive.

Throughout Brown’s nightshift, the coroner heard Nelson went on to make 9 further requires assist over the jail intercom, together with a ultimate two conversations Lacy described as “haunting” and “chilling”. Nothing was heard from Nelson after 4am. Her physique was found later that morning.

Attending paramedics believed she had been lifeless for a while.

Taking to the witness stand for the first time on Friday after a failed Supreme Courtroom fight to suppress her identification, Brown revealed she now believed she should’ve accomplished more to help Nelson throughout her last hours.

Brown accepted she had an obligation of care to Nelson and should have gone to examine on the 37-year-old after the inmate grew to become unresponsive throughout her remaining intercom call. She also accepted Nelson was disadvantaged of “adequate” medical care during her stay and not handled humanely.

The jail officer was also essential of the medical care provided to inmates and the condition wherein some arrived at the Yarra unit. She mentioned evening nurses often refused to stroll the 200 metres from the medical unit to the Yarra unit to see sufferers during the evening.

Jail officers aren't permitted to call triple zero and extra senior staff would must be contacted to do that in any emergency, Brown mentioned.

An post-mortem later discovered Nelson had the undiagnosed medical situation Wilkie’s syndrome, a uncommon however probably life-threatening gastrointestinal condition.

Rishi Nathwani, representing Nelson’s mom, was critical of Brown’s motion and pressed the prison officer on an inner review that praised her actions.

Nathwani stated within the review, Dame Phyllis Frost normal manager Tracey Jones mentioned she was “proud” of the best way Nelson was handled in her remaining hours and that Brown “sensitively managed the intercom calls”.

Prison CCTV shows Tracey Brown, far proper, attending Nelson’s prison cell alongside nurse Atheana George about 1.30am the day of Nelson’s loss of life.

On the stand, Brown disagreed. Jones is because of give evidence subsequent week.

Pictures and audio contained in this story were released to the media with permission from the household. For 24/7 crisis assist run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).