CORRECTIONS officers took six minutes to call an ambulance after finding an inmate had taken his own life in the back of a prison van, an inquest has been told. A coroner is investigating the deaths in custody of Scott Clifford Mitchell, 23, South Australian man Robin Michael, 63, and North-West man Troy Monson, 42. Counsel assisting the coroner Robert Webster said Monson and Michael both apparently took their own lives. Mr Webster said Monson was found dead in a prison van at Risdon after being transported from Launceston on June 22, while Michael took his own life in his cell on June 29. On the day of his death, Monson was being moved to Risdon Prison for a psychiatric assessment, and was put into a transport van with eight other prisoners, Mr Webster said. He said when corrections officers found Monson, a "code blue" was called, and CPR was attempted, but an ambulance was not called for six minutes. John Zammit, who was transported in the same van, said he saw a number of officers "running around looking pretty useless for about 10 minutes". Mr Zammit said he had heard Monson ask for a "spew bag" at the start of the trip. The inquest also heard from detainee Toni Leary, who said officers now conducted regular welfare checks during transport runs, using the internal intercom system. "Now they check on you six or seven times per trip ... but before they never used [the intercom]," she said. Mr Webster said Mitchell, who was found in his cell on July 31, appeared to have died of a heart condition. He said Mitchell was obese, and had complained to other inmates of chest pains, but had not sought medical attention. Mr Webster said the time it had taken correctional officers to call an ambulance after Monson was discovered would be examined during the inquest. The inquest, before Coroner Simon Cooper, continues on Thursday. ■ If you need help call: Lifeline: 131 114; Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or www.kidshelp.com.au; Suicide callback service: 1300 659 467, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CORRECTIONS officers took six minutes to call an ambulance after finding an inmate had taken his own life in the back of a prison van, an inquest has been told.
A coroner is investigating the deaths in custody of Scott Clifford Mitchell, 23, South Australian man Robin Michael, 63, and North-West man Troy Monson, 42.
Counsel assisting the coroner Robert Webster said Monson and Michael both apparently took their own lives.
Mr Webster said Monson was found dead in a prison van at Risdon after being transported from Launceston on June 22, while Michael took his own life in his cell on June 29.
On the day of his death, Monson was being moved to Risdon Prison for a psychiatric assessment, and was put into a transport van with eight other prisoners, Mr Webster said.
He said when corrections officers found Monson, a "code blue" was called, and CPR was attempted, but an ambulance was not called for six minutes.
John Zammit, who was transported in the same van, said he saw a number of officers "running around looking pretty useless for about 10 minutes".
Mr Zammit said he had heard Monson ask for a "spew bag" at the start of the trip.
The inquest also heard from detainee Toni Leary, who said officers now conducted regular welfare checks during transport runs, using the internal intercom system.
"Now they check on you six or seven times per trip ... but before they never used [the intercom]," she said.
Mr Webster said Mitchell, who was found in his cell on July 31, appeared to have died of a heart condition.
He said Mitchell was obese, and had complained to other inmates of chest pains, but had not sought medical attention.
Mr Webster said the time it had taken correctional officers to call an ambulance after Monson was discovered would be examined during the inquest.
The inquest, before Coroner Simon Cooper, continues on Thursday.
■ If you need help call: Lifeline: 131 114; Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or www.kidshelp.com.au; Suicide callback service: 1300 659 467, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
