Content warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised the following contains the name and image of a deceased Noongar man.
The National Justice Project has welcomed the urgency of recommendations handed down in the Coronial Inquest into the death of Ricky-Lee Cound, a 22-year-old Noongar man who died in prison custody in Western Australia in 2022.
In his findings, Coroner Philip Urquart agreed with the Deputy Superintendent at Hakea Prison who admitted during the inquest that the prison is “no longer fit for purpose” and made a number of recommendations calling for systemic change in Hakea.
National Justice Project Solicitor Rosaleen Jeffries represented Ricky-Lee’s family at the inquest and noted the Coroner found a sequence of significant missed opportunities led to his death.
“The Coronial hearing exposed the lack of culturally safe therapeutic care in detention systems and the urgent need for considerable reform in all Western Australian prisons,” Ms Jeffries said.
“On the day of his death, Ricky-Lee requested to be placed in a safe observation cell but his request was not actioned by the prison. He used the only life-line that he had which was asking for help. The Coroner found Ricky-Lee could be alive today had prison authorities responded to his calls for mental health support.
“The inquest also exposed that critical information, such as Ricky-Lee’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis, was not appropriately considered in his care and risk management and the responsibility of these shortfalls lie with the Department of Justice.
“We hope that by revealing the many failings in Ricky-Lee’s care and supervision that no other family will experience the devastating loss of a child the way that Ricky-Lee’s family have,” Ms Jeffries said.
Media enquiries media@justice.org.au
Media Coverage
- “When are the changes going to happen?” – Family of Ricky Lee Cound responds to inquest findings
National Indigenous Times, 27 March 2025 - Ricky-Lee Cound coronial inquest finds ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances led to Noongar man’s suicide
ABC News, 26 March 2025 - Hakea inmates called guards, worried about their friend self-harming. Officers checked a water spill first
WA Times, 26 March 2025
