The Western Australian Government’s new Aboriginal custody support scheme has been slammed with claims that it wont prevent further deaths.
The Western Australian Government has implemented new measures to reduce suicide and self-harm among Aboriginal people in custody, including 24 hour management of the 1800 support number, which now allows callers to request a visit from the Aboriginal Visitors Scheme.
Suicide prevention researcher Gerry Georgatos was angered by the announcement firmly believing the custody notification service needed to be reintroduced.
The Minister for Police Liza Harvey said the Government will continue tackling the issue of Aboriginal over-representation in WA prisons and deaths in custody by creating a safer custody environment and avoiding incarceration for low level offences.
