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Deaths in custody: second man dies at Canberra jail in less than a year Deaths in custody: second man dies at Canberra jail in less than a year
(about 2 hours later)
A 29-year-old man has died in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in Canberra on Saturday night.A 29-year-old man has died in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in Canberra on Saturday night.
As is the standard process for all deaths in custody, his death is being investigated by police and a coronial inquest will be held.As is the standard process for all deaths in custody, his death is being investigated by police and a coronial inquest will be held.
“The next of kin have been notified and the person’s name will not be released at this time,” the ACT justice minister, Shane Rattenbury, said.“The next of kin have been notified and the person’s name will not be released at this time,” the ACT justice minister, Shane Rattenbury, said.
“On behalf of the ACT government, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individual. I understand this will be a difficult time for them and I ask that you respect their privacy.”“On behalf of the ACT government, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individual. I understand this will be a difficult time for them and I ask that you respect their privacy.”
He described deaths in custody as tragic and “of deepest concern”.He described deaths in custody as tragic and “of deepest concern”.
“I am advised that ACT Corrective Services staff were notified by a detainee who was concerned about the health of the detainee,” Rattenbury said. “I am advised that ACT Corrective Services staff were notified by a detainee who was concerned about the health of the detainee,” Rattenbury said. “I am further advised that no disturbances were reported around the time of the incident.”
“I am further advised that no disturbances were reported around the time of the incident.” A spokesman for Rattenbury said: “I am advised by ACT Corrective Services at this time that the detainee did not self-identify as of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent on admission to the Alexander Maconochie Centre.”
ACT police said the man died at about 8pm.ACT police said the man died at about 8pm.
“Given the matter is under investigation, it is inappropriate to make any further comment,” police said in a statement.“Given the matter is under investigation, it is inappropriate to make any further comment,” police said in a statement.
The incident follows the death of Indigenous Canberra man Steven Freeman last year at the same centre. He was found dead in his cell with a toxic amount of methadone in his system, a drug used for heroin withdrawal symptoms.The incident follows the death of Indigenous Canberra man Steven Freeman last year at the same centre. He was found dead in his cell with a toxic amount of methadone in his system, a drug used for heroin withdrawal symptoms.
However, there was no evidence Freeman was addicted to opioids when he was prescribed the drug, an inquest being held into his death heard.However, there was no evidence Freeman was addicted to opioids when he was prescribed the drug, an inquest being held into his death heard.