Veronica Nelson handled inhumanely before jail death, prison officer concedes

CCTV shows Brown, nurse Atheana George and two other prison officers present Nelson with paracetamol though a cell entice door about 1.30am. It was the final time staff saw her alive.

During Brown’s nightshift, the coroner heard Nelson went on to make nine further requires help over the jail intercom, including 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 dead for some time.

Taking to the witness stand for the primary time on Friday after a failed Supreme Courtroom fight to suppress her identity, Brown revealed she now believed she ought to’ve finished extra to help Nelson throughout her ultimate hours.

Brown accepted she had an obligation of care to Nelson and should have gone to check on the 37-year-old after the inmate became unresponsive throughout her ultimate intercom name. She additionally accepted Nelson was disadvantaged of “enough” medical care during her keep and never treated humanely.

The prison officer was additionally important of the medical care offered to inmates and the condition during which some arrived at the Yarra unit. She stated night time nurses often refused to walk the 200 metres from the medical unit to the Yarra unit to see sufferers throughout the evening.

Prison officers aren't permitted to call triple zero and more senior employees would must be contacted to try this in any emergency, Brown said.

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

Rishi Nathwani, representing Nelson’s mom, was crucial of Brown’s motion and pressed the jail officer on an internal assessment that praised her actions.

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

Jail CCTV exhibits Tracey Brown, far proper, attending Nelson’s jail cell alongside nurse Atheana George about 1.30am the day of Nelson’s dying.

On the stand, Brown disagreed. Jones is due to give proof next week.

Pictures and audio contained in this story had been launched to the media with permission from the family. For twenty-four/7 disaster help run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).