Veronica Nelson handled inhumanely before jail demise, prison officer concedes

CCTV exhibits Brown, nurse Atheana George and two different prison officers present Nelson with paracetamol although a cell lure door about 1.30am. It was the last time staff saw her alive.

During Brown’s nightshift, the coroner heard Nelson went on to make nine additional requires assist over the prison intercom, including a final two conversations Lacy described as “haunting” and “chilling”. Nothing was heard from Nelson after 4am. Her physique was discovered later that morning.

Attending paramedics believed she had been useless for some time.

Taking to the witness stand for the first time on Friday after a failed Supreme Court battle to suppress her id, Brown revealed she now believed she should’ve executed extra to assist Nelson during her ultimate hours.

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

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

Prison officers are not permitted to call triple zero and more senior workers would should be contacted to do that in any emergency, Brown stated.

An post-mortem later found Nelson had the undiagnosed medical situation Wilkie’s syndrome, a rare but probably life-threatening gastrointestinal condition.

Rishi Nathwani, representing Nelson’s mother, was essential of Brown’s action and pressed the prison officer on an inner assessment that praised her actions.

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

Jail CCTV reveals Tracey Brown, far right, 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 proof next week.

Pictures and audio contained on this story were released to the media with permission from the family. For twenty-four/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).