Page 3557 - Week 09 - Thursday, 23 August 2018
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Mr Steven Freeman’s death at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in May 2016 is a profound tragedy. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Steven Freeman, and to acknowledge the ongoing grief, loss and sadness that they have experienced. I would also like to recognise the advocacy for change of Mrs Narelle King following the death of her son.
The loss of any life in a custodial environment is a serious matter that warrants appropriate scrutiny and review. As such, the ACT engaged Mr Philip Moss AM to conduct an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Steven Freeman’s care and treatment while in custody, including whether ACT Corrective Services systems operated effectively and in compliance with human rights obligations.
The Moss review was released on 7 November 2016, making nine recommendations about how the management, care and supervision arrangements of detainees at the AMC might be improved, and processes which can be further developed to ensure the care and treatment of detainees is enhanced.
The ACT government agreed to eight of the nine recommendations made by Mr Moss, noting that the remaining recommendation related to the independent Health Services Commissioner. I am pleased to report that the majority of those recommendations have been completed, with work closely monitored and overseen by a high-level steering committee chaired by an independent chairperson.
In February 2017, the Health Services Commissioner commenced a commission-initiated review of the opioid replacement treatment program at the AMC in response to recommendation 7 of the Moss review. The Health Services Commissioner publicly released her report on 9 March this year.
The ACT government welcomed the health commissioner’s review of opioid replacement treatment, ORT, at the AMC, which made 16 recommendations. The report and the recommendations have been considered, and the ACT government has agreed to 12, agreed in principle to three, and noted one of the recommendations. Ten of these are already complete, and work to progress the remainder is underway.
Mr Freeman’s death was also the subject of a coronial inquest as required by the Coroners Act 1997. The Coroner’s office is responsible for the investigation of unexpected deaths. It is empowered to make recommendations aimed at avoiding preventable deaths and plays a vital role in the avoidance of Indigenous deaths by potentially identifying systemic failures and custodial practices and procedures.
The Coroner’s hearings commenced on 27 February 2017 and findings were handed down on 11 April 2018. Coroner Cook made seven recommendations to the ACT government. The report and its recommendations have been considered, and the ACT government has agreed to four and agreed in principle to three recommendations made by Coroner Cook.
The ACT government welcomes the coroner’s recommendations and notes the findings that the quality of care, treatment and supervision afforded to Mr Freeman by
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