Tane Chatfield

Indigenous man Tane Chatfield, 22, died in police custody on 20 September 2017. He had served two years on remand without trial and despite not having been charged.

He was found unconscious in his cell at Tamworth Correctional Centre. He died in a hospital bed two days later. According to the authorities’ account, Chatfield hung himself in his prison cell. However, his parents have always maintained that this version of events just doesn’t add up. His family insists that the young man they had seen that same day was in good spirits, as he expected to be released from jail.

Family members maintain that Tane suffered ongoing brutality at the hands of guards while in prison and hold the prison system responsible for the death of their son. They said other inmates reported that Tane had been bashed by prison guards.

On 15 April 2021, a group of 15 families have launched a petition calling on the Prime Minister to meet with them and set out their 10 demands to help the families of the victims restore justice and improve the lives of Aboriginal people. Chatfield’s family also joined the petition and said they want justice for Tane.