Blacktown Youth Justice caseworker Samuel Purcell dies with Covid-19

A western Sydney Youth Justice caseworker has been remembered after he died with Covid-19 last week. See the tribute.

A Western Sydney Youth Justice caseworker who died with Covid-19 can be identified as “loving-family man” Samuel Purcell.

The Blacktown Youth Justice community caseworker died last week after contracting Covid-19, with Justice Health executive director Wendy Hoey confirming an officer had succumbed to the deadly Delta variant on Tuesday, September 14.

Juvenile Justice Officer Samuel Purcell (left) died of Covid-19 last week.

In a series of tributes by colleagues and friends, Mr Purcell was remembered as a “kind, caring soul” who had a larger-than-life presence at the Western Sydney Youth Justice centre.

“He was always showing us photos of his family — he really loved everyone,” one former colleague told NewsLocal.

“He truly was larger than life, he was kind and caring, but he could also be firm with the boys who needed more guidance — that was the beauty of Sammy.”

In a social media post, a family friend said: “This morning we lost an important member of our family – and the world already feels so different for it”.

“Some people have the gift of being able to lift up everyone around them, and Samuel Purcell was one of those guys,” he said. “I am really going to miss him.

“This pandemic is no joke — be kind to each other — take a moment to focus on what we do have right now, not what we don’t.”

An exterior view of the central Administration building at the Cobham Youth Justice Centre. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Ms Hoey, told a NSW Parliamentary inquiry on Friday that she was notified of Mr Purcell’s death on Tuesday night.

“I spoke to the executive director of Justice Health on Tuesday night,” she said. “That’s when he advised me that one of his officers had passed.

“I know a youth justice officer had died, and I actually consoled my peer.”

Justice Health Executive Director Wendy Hoey.

On Monday, acting NSW Corrective Services commissioner Kevin Cocoran told staff “there’s no doubt we’ve been hit hard by this disease.

“The department has lost an officer in Youth Justice,” he said.

“Fifty-one of our colleagues in Corrective Services have contracted Covid, most in the community.

“Some have been hospitalised, and one in ICU at the moment is in a very bad way — my thoughts go out to all of those affected, and we’re doing our best to support them and their families.”

A view of the signage at the Cobham Youth Justice Centre in Werrington. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

When asked about the death of the officer, Ms Hoey said it was “not my information to share”. The executive director said she was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

NewsCorp understand Mr Purcell did not contract Covid-19 in the workplace.