Veronica Nelson treated inhumanely before jail demise, prison officer concedes

CCTV shows Brown, nurse Atheana George and two different jail officers present Nelson with paracetamol although a cell entice door about 1.30am. It was the final time employees saw her alive.

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

Attending paramedics believed she had been lifeless 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 accomplished more to assist Nelson throughout her remaining hours.

Brown accepted she had a duty of care to Nelson and should have gone to verify on the 37-year-old after the inmate turned unresponsive during her remaining intercom name. She also accepted Nelson was disadvantaged of “satisfactory” medical care throughout her keep and never treated humanely.

The jail officer was also essential of the medical care provided to inmates and the condition by which some arrived at the Yarra unit. She stated night time nurses typically refused to walk the 200 metres from the medical unit to the Yarra unit to see sufferers during the evening.

Jail officers are not permitted to name triple zero and more senior employees would have to be contacted to try this in any emergency, Brown mentioned.

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

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

Nathwani mentioned within the assessment, Dame Phyllis Frost basic supervisor Tracey Jones said she was “proud” of the way in which Nelson was handled in her closing hours and that Brown “sensitively managed the intercom calls”.

Jail CCTV shows 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 subsequent week.

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