Veronica Nelson Coronial Inquest | Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Monday, 30 January 2023 - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
A photograph of 20 of Veronica Nelson's family and friends, including children, looking at the camera and standing together in front of the Coroners Court of Victoria, many of whom are 'painted up' with a curved stripe across nose and cheeks and dots on forehead, and wearing t-shirts that have a photo of Veronica Nelson's smiling face and a line drawing of a turtle that say "JUSTICE FOR VERONICA MARIE NELSON".

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, and in-depth discussion of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.


 This episode of Doin' Time, the first of 2023, is dedicated to Veronica Nelson, who died in custody at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on January 2, 2020.

 This week's show begins with a recap of the Findings of the Coronial Inquest into the passing of Veronica Marie Nelson, delivered today at the Coroners Court of Victoria, and the statements issued today by Aunty Donna Nelson, Veronica's mother, and Uncle Percy Lovett, Veronica's Partner.

 Marisa then invites Cheryl Axleby (Co-Chair of Change the Record) on the program to discuss Australia's need to implement UN anti-torture protocols, calling for independent oversight of police and prisons in this country and changes to bail laws and the age of criminal responsibility. She discusses the limited adoption of the recommendations outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody over 30 years ago, and how not only are Aboriginal men women and children increasingly disproportionately imprisoned, but also now six times more likely to die in custody on average. 

 Last up on today's program, Marisa invites Uncle Kelvin on the program to discuss several topics all coming back to the need for unity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, including "Australia Day", and his perspectives on processes affecting incarceration rates and the facets of the Voice to Parliament.

 Stay tuned in the coming weeks for further coverage on the Findings of the Coronial Inquest of Veronica Nelson.

 

Doin Time 4-5pm Mondays
Monday 4:00pm to 5:00pm
An open forum, presenting information and discussion around issues faced by prisoners in the criminal justice system and migration detention centres.

Presenter

Marisa

Topic