Veronica Nelson handled inhumanely earlier than jail loss of life, prison officer concedes

CCTV reveals Brown, nurse Atheana George and two other jail officers present Nelson with paracetamol though a cell entice door about 1.30am. It was the final time employees noticed her alive.

Throughout Brown’s nightshift, the coroner heard Nelson went on to make 9 additional requires assist over the jail intercom, including a ultimate 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 Courtroom battle to suppress her id, Brown revealed she now believed she ought to’ve finished more to help Nelson throughout her remaining hours.

Brown accepted she had an obligation of care to Nelson and may have gone to examine on the 37-year-old after the inmate became unresponsive throughout her ultimate intercom call. She additionally accepted Nelson was deprived of “ample” medical care during her keep and never handled humanely.

The prison officer was additionally vital of the medical care supplied to inmates and the situation during which some arrived at the Yarra unit. She mentioned evening nurses typically refused to stroll the 200 metres from the medical unit to the Yarra unit to see sufferers throughout the night time.

Prison officers usually are not permitted to call triple zero and extra senior workers would should be contacted to try this in any emergency, Brown stated.

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

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

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

Jail CCTV exhibits Tracey Brown, far proper, attending Nelson’s jail cell alongside nurse Atheana George about 1.30am the day of Nelson’s demise.

On the stand, Brown disagreed. Jones is because of give evidence subsequent week.

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