Shackling of ill Aboriginal man 'horrific'
A NSW coroner has agreed it is "horrific" an Aboriginal man who died in custody was shackled in his hospital bed despite being sedated during treatment for catastrophic brain injury and organ failure.
Eric Whittaker's restraints were ultimately removed in the hours before the 35-year-old's death from a brain haemorrhage at Westmead Hospital in July 2017.
State coroner Teresa O'Sullivan says she shares his family's view the shackling of an unconscious man in hospital was horrific.
"I accept that there are some prisoners in need of medical care who do present a security risk and will require some form of restraint for some period of time," Ms O'Sullivan told Lidcombe Coroners Court on Friday.
"But that was not the case for Eric, who was receiving treatment for a catastrophic brain injury and organ failure."
The coroner was delivering her findings into the death of Mr Whittaker, a proud Kamilaroi man on remand at Parklea Correctional Centre when he died.
Mr Whittaker began pleading for help from his cell more than three hours before he received medical attention on July 2.
Between 5.24am and 7.59am that morning, Mr Whittaker used the prison's emergency intercom system 20 times.
"Despite his distress, the correctional officers ... failed to recognise the signs of a medical emergency and failed to make the effort required to get Eric seen by clinic staff," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"That resulted in a delay of care to Eric that is disgraceful in the circumstances of this case."
She said while Mr Whittaker couldn't clearly articulate his problem, it should have been obvious to adequately trained correctional officers exercising due diligence that he needed medical treatment.
"It is not possible to know for certain that earlier medical intervention would have saved Eric's life, but it may have done," she said.
The coroner noted the tragedy of Mr Whittaker's death had caused great hardship and "immeasurable loss" to his large family.
She made no recommendations but noted GEO Group Australia and Corrective Services NSW had made policy changes to address "the shortcomings that existed at the time of Eric's death".
"Had those changes not been made before and during the inquest, I would have made recommendations aimed at bringing them into effect," Ms O'Sullivan said.
She said she was encouraged by the changes, which showed a willingness to learn from the tragedy and improve the standard of care for vulnerable inmates.
"There is, of course, so much more that needs to be done to tackle inherent disadvantage and incarceration rates," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"Sadly much of that is beyond the power of this court but I hope that Eric's passing has contributed in some way to improving the system for others."
Australian Associated Press