Inquest for death of Thompson James Harvey at Capricornia Correctional Centre

The family of a 33-year-old man who died at Capricornia Correctional Centre will travel to Gladstone for an inquest into his death.

Maximum security unit at Capricornia Correctional Centre

An inquest will be held in Gladstone next month into the death of a prisoner at Capricornia Correctional Centre six years ago.

Thompson James Harvey died on November 13, 2017 from “apparent suicide” at the prison north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

It is unclear at this stage what charges Mr Harvey was incarcerated for or how long he had been in prison.

An inquest is a court hearing conducted by a coroner to gather information about the causes and circumstances of a death.

There are no trials or juries; it does not hold a person guilty; and there may be recommendations handed down to prevent similar deaths.

All deaths in custody, including deaths in prisons, are subject to an inquest.

A pre-inquest conference for Mr Harvey was held in 2019 and the matter was adjourned to a later date to obtain further material including expert medical advice, statements, records and other information from the Queensland Police Service.

A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesperson told this publication there had been delays in sourcing the “appropriate expert advice” and there was limited capacity for court sittings during Covid-19.

Mr Harvey’s family had also indicated they would like to travel from New Zealand for the inquest.

The inquest will further examine whether authorities provided adequate mental health and physical care for Mr Harvey.

Mr Harvey’s mental health assessment upon induction to the prison and prior to his death will be examined along with the placement and “frequency of the observations” while he was an inmate.

The Coroner will consider if changes to procedures or policies are necessary to reduce the likelihood of deaths in similar circumstances.

The inquest will be held from April 18 to 21 at Gladstone Courthouse by Coroner Terry Ryan.

Capricornia Correctional Centre.

CAPRICORNIA CORRECTIONAL CENTRE INMATE INQUESTS

FREDERICK ROW ROW INQUEST

An inquest into the death of Frederick James Arthur Row Row, who took his own life on August 24, 2016, was held in Yeppoon in May 2021.

Mr Row Row was held in the Detention Unit after his assault on another prisoner and had asked to be moved to the prison’s medical unit.

On the morning of his death, he was seen crying and openly admitted to having suicidal thoughts.

The inquest looked at Mr Row Row’s mental health issues and prison protocols – particularly around the door to the exercise yard being left open for 10 years – along with the staff roster system for corrections services and mental health staff.

The findings report of the coroner, Mr Ryan, highlighted the four recommendations made by Mr Row Row’s family members.

These included targeted recruitment for male psychologists that were more culturally appropriate for First Nations’ prisoners; more and better cultural awareness training for staff; more and better training around risk assessment, especially for the issues unique to First Nations’ prisoners and for those staff involved in risk assessment teams; and more funding to improve psychological and mental health services within correctional centres and allowing community-based providers access to the centre to enhance service delivery.

His family expressed their disappointment and disgust at the findings at the time, saying they felt like they had waited for five years to be told nothing.

RYAN CLARE, INMATE DEATH

Ryan Thomas Clare, 43, was found dead in his cell at Capricornia Correctional Centre on August 9, 2022.

Queensland Corrective Services have not provided answers regarding circumstances around his death.

Mr Clare had been charged with various offences including attempted arson, unregulated high-risk activities, serious assault of a police officer, enter premises, wilful damage of police property, numerous counts of wilful damage and numerous drug offences.

A coronial inquest is required to be held into his death.

ASSAULT VICTIM PENDING INQUEST

A 31-year prisoner died in hospital a day after he was assaulted at Capricornia Correctional Centre on October 23, 2022.

Sources told this publication that up to nine prisoners attacked the man, allegedly over a $50 inside “land tax” debt.

The man had been behind bars for just four weeks, and had three months remaining after facing court for drug-driving and possessing drugs.

His lifeless body was found by Queensland Corrective Services officers who started CPR before he was transported to Rockhampton Hospital, where he died from his injuries the next day.

It is understood he was kicked in the head, had a severely bruised face with his frontal lobe damaged, and was brain dead before he got to hospital.

A coronial inquest is required to be held into his death.