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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/may/14/deaths-in-custody-second-man-dies-at-canberra-jail-in-less-than-a-year
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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 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. |
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