The family of Frank 'Gud' Coleman, a 43-year-old Ngemba man who died in Sydney's Long Bay jail, say Covid restrictions prevented them from visiting him for 18 months before his sudden death. Coleman was found unresponsive in his cell on 8 July.
His ex-partner, Skye Hipwell, said the family is in 'complete shock' and demanding answers. 'Frank was healthy. His death came as a complete shock to us,' she said. She added that restrictions meant he had no visitors for months, an 'agonising' period without physical contact with loved ones.
Corrective Services NSW confirmed the death but disputed the claim of an 18-month visit ban. A spokeswoman said in-person visits were suspended between March and November 2020, then resumed until June 2021, when restrictions were reintroduced. They said they worked to increase phone and video contact.
The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT is supporting the family. CEO Karly Warner noted the 30th anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, saying life-saving recommendations remain unimplemented. Coleman is one of at least 478 Aboriginal people to die in custody since 1991, and the ninth nationally this year.
The family is calling for a prompt coronial inquest, saying lengthy delays are 'unacceptable'. Hipwell said, 'There's no finality, it just goes on and on. The thought of waiting years for answers is really distressing.'
