Inquest into the death of Reuben Button

Case Number: 2020/257665

Findings Date: 21 July 2023

Magistrate: Harriet Grahame

CORONIAL LAW | death in custody; death of ATSI man; ischaemic heart disease; buvidal; Aboriginal Health Workers at Junee Correctional Centre

Responses

Recommendations

The GEO Group Board of Directors

That GEO Group prioritises improvement of the staffing ratios of doctors, Aboriginal health workers and nurses to inmates at Junee Correctional Centre to reduce waitlists and to provide culturally appropriate care for the increasing numbers of inmates at the centre.

Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network

That, consistent with the recommendation in the Inquest into the death of Kevin Francis Bugmy, JHFMHN should continue its work advocating for a trial for access to Medicare for Aboriginal inmates. In this context, JHFMHN should consider liaising with its equivalent or counterpart bodies in other States to coordinate and advocate for a trial process involving Medicare being made available by the Commonwealt to Aboriginal inmates.

Circulation of findings

A copy of the findings should be provided to the NSW Commissioner of Corrective Services, the GEO Group Board of Directors, the NSW Minister for Corrections, the NSW Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health, the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, and the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians.