Veronica Nelson handled inhumanely before jail demise, jail officer concedes

CCTV reveals Brown, nurse Atheana George and two different jail officers present Nelson with paracetamol although a cell trap door about 1.30am. It was the final time workers noticed her alive.

Throughout Brown’s nightshift, the coroner heard Nelson went on to make nine additional requires assist over the prison intercom, including a remaining 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 docket combat to suppress her id, Brown revealed she now believed she should’ve done extra to help Nelson during her last hours.

Brown accepted she had a duty of care to Nelson and will have gone to check on the 37-year-old after the inmate turned unresponsive during her ultimate intercom call. She also accepted Nelson was disadvantaged of “ample” medical care during her stay and never handled humanely.

The prison officer was additionally crucial of the medical care supplied to inmates and the situation during which some arrived on 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 night.

Prison officers aren't permitted to name triple zero and more senior staff would need to be contacted to do this in any emergency, Brown stated.

An autopsy later found Nelson had the undiagnosed medical situation Wilkie’s syndrome, a rare however doubtlessly life-threatening gastrointestinal situation.

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

Nathwani said in the review, Dame Phyllis Frost general manager Tracey Jones mentioned she was “proud” of the best way Nelson was treated in her closing hours and that Brown “sensitively managed the intercom calls”.

Jail CCTV reveals Tracey Brown, far proper, attending Nelson’s prison cell alongside nurse Atheana George about 1.30am the day of Nelson’s death.

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

Photographs and audio contained on this story have been launched to the media with permission from the household. For 24/7 disaster assist run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).