Frank Coleman
Frank Coleman, a 43-year-old Ngemba man, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Long Bay Correctional Complex in Sydney (Australia) on July 8, 2021.
Coleman’s family believes his death was suspicious because he was healthy. His family also says the prison prevented them from seeing him for 18 months due to covid restrictions.
He was often transferred from one prison to another, and he had to be quarantined in each new prison. Corrective Services NSW disputed claims that the family was prevented from visiting Coleman and says in-person visits were available between November 23, 2020 and June 24, 2021 when restrictions to in-person visits were reintroduced. During restrictions inmates could contact families via phone and video visits.
Coleman’s family requested an autopsy and an investigation into circumstances of his death.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“Frank always said he was not a free man, he was living under a white man’s law, and it breaks my heart that he died not a free man. He died alone in a jail cell and no one knows anything about his last minutes,” said his ex-partner Skye Hipwell.
NITV
Frank was healthy. His death came as a complete shock to us,” Skye Hipwell said.
The Guardian
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, Attorney-General of Australia Michaelia Cash and Minister for Home Affairs of Australia Karen Andrews. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Morrison
Letter to Cash
Letter to Andrews
