Findings of urgent Corrective Services review must be made public

05/12/2017

Advocacy

President Arthur Moses SC has called for the NSW Department of Corrective Services to make public the results of its inquiry into the treatment of Eric Whittaker (36), an Indigenous prisoner who remained in ankle cuffs as he lay dying in Westmead Hospital's ICU.

Mr Moses released the following statement:

Whilst noting that there is yet to be an explanation by the Department of Corrective Services as to how Mr Whittaker’s treatment complied with its protocols in relation to prisoners who are receiving medical treatment, the NSW Bar Association is concerned that there may have been the inappropriate use of restraints on Mr Whittaker, whilst he lay dying in a hospital bed. All human beings deserve to die with dignity-no family should have seen their father, brother and son die whilst shackled to a bed. I urge the Department to urgently complete its review and make public the findings in order to minimise the chance of this occurring again.