Ricky-Lee Cound died after self-harming in his cell at Hakea Prison. Ricky-Lee Cound died in hospital three years ago after he was found with self-inflicted injuries in his cell at Hakea Prison. An inquest into the Noongar man’s death was held last May, with Coroner Philip Urquhart today making public his findings. Coroner Urquhart made eight recommendations, noting some improvements had been made by the Department of Justice since Mr. Cound’s death. A prisoner who died in hospital after fatally self-harming in his jail cell could be alive today had authorities responded appropriately to his calls for mental health support just hours before his death, a coronial inquest has found.
Ricky-Lee Cound’s Death and the Findings of the Coronial Inquest
Ricky-Lee Cound’s death highlights a significant lapse in the handling of mental health crises within the prison system. Despite his clear request for a safe environment due to his mental health struggles, the failure to properly respond to his needs played a pivotal role in the tragic outcome. The chaotic atmosphere at Hakea Prison, influenced by the ongoing COVID outbreak and chronic understaffing, further compounded the situation, leading to inadequate responses to multiple incidents involving inmates. The case underscores the necessity of improved mental health protocols and awareness, particularly for individuals with conditions such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The recommendations from Coroner Urquhart aim to prevent such tragedies in the future by addressing systemic issues and ensuring that prisoner welfare is prioritized, from the provision of adequately staffed safe cells to the training of officers to better support vulnerable inmates. These steps are crucial for transforming the current approach to prisoner care and reducing the recurrence of such avoidable deaths within the custodial setting.
Coroner’s Recommendations and Findings
In the weeks and days before Ricky-Lee Cound’s death, the environment at Hakea Prison was described as chaotic. The prison was grappling with an «unprecedented» COVID outbreak, which affected nearly 170 inmates, including Cound. The prison staff faced constantly changing COVID protocols, a fear of the virus, and chronic understaffing, contributing to a strained atmosphere. A senior prison officer referred to those days as some of the most intense experienced at Hakea, illustrating the immense pressure within the facility at that time.
The impact of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder on inmate management
The inquest revealed that Ricky-Lee Cound’s tragic death highlighted a series of preventable failures within the prison system. The coroner’s findings emphasized how crucial it was for the Department of Justice to address these issues, particularly in the context of handling inmates with mental health disorders such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The chaotic environment at Hakea Prison, exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak, seemed to exacerbate the systemic issues already present. This chaos, compounded by understaffing and fluctuating protocols, contributed to the oversight of Cound’s urgent request for help. Institutional changes, including training and infrastructure improvements, were seen as imperative steps to prevent future tragedies. The coroner’s recommendations aimed to ensure that inmates like Cound receive the mental health support they desperately need, potentially saving lives in similar circumstances.
Recommendations for Preventing Future Incidents
In light of the coroner’s findings and recommendations, it is clear that systemic changes are necessary to ensure the welfare and safety of prisoners, particularly those with mental illnesses or cognitive impairments like Ricky-Lee Cound. The tragedy of his untimely death underscores the importance of responsive mental health support and the need for adequate facilities and training for prison staff. As the justice system moves forward with implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that lessons learned from this tragic incident will foster a safer and more supportive environment for all inmates.
