Frederick Arthur James Row Row: Family of man who died in custody slam inquest findings

A coroner has handed down his findings into the death of a man who died in a Central Queensland prison as the man’s family voice their outrage.

The family of a man who died in custody at a Central Queensland jail have slammed the findings of a coronial inquest into his death, saying they feel like he was “treated like he was nothing”.

Devastated family members of Frederick Arthur James Row Row cried and consoled each other as State Coroner Terry Ryan delivered his findings into the man’s tragic death five years ago.

Family of Frederick Row Row (l-r), his partner Glenda Barnes, sister Pam White-Row Row, daughters Sheanea Row Row and nephew Dennis Saunders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

His sister Pam White-Row Row told NCA NewsWire that she was “disgusted” at the findings due to the lack of mental health support offered to Indigenous prisoners.

“I felt not heard … I felt my brother was treated like he was nothing … (we’ve been) waiting for five years to get told nothing,” she said.

“What I was looking for at these findings was I wanted more mental health support for all prisoners, to be able to contact family for support.

“And nothing’s going to change in prisons.”

Mr Row Row, 34, was found dead by staff at the Capricornia Correctional Centre on August 24, 2016.

Mr Row Row – a First Nations man – had been assessed by prison staff and was at first deemed “high risk” of self-harm, but at the time of his death the risk had been downgraded.

Staff reported he was “extremely distressed” after assaulting another inmate at the jail and that morning he had expressed fleeting thoughts of suicide.

In his findings, Mr Ryan said the assault triggered Mr Row Row’s threats of self-harm.

He said on reflection there were “missed opportunities” that warranted an elevation of Mr Row Row’s level of risk.

Pam White-Row Row (right) and Sheanea Row Row. Pam says she is disgusted by the findings as they do not significantly address the mental health needs of First Nations prisoners. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Despite repeatedly asking staff for details about (the prisoner’s condition), no one was able to provide Mr Row Row with details of the man’s condition to lessen his stress,” Mr Ryan found.

“It was not indicated until after Mr Row Row’s death that the other prisoner was stable and did not wish to pursue charges.”

Mr Ryan said Mr Row Row’s risk of suicide had escalated rapidly that morning and he was left alone in the prison’s detention unit.

The court was told it was “common practice” at the prison to keep the door to the exercise yard open in contravention of corrective service directions.

Mr Ryan said Mr Row Row’s death could have been prevented if the door was closed.

He said there was inadequate staffing to monitor Mr Row Row’s wellbeing on the day of his death.

But Mr Ryan said he could not conclude Mr Row Row suffered any discrimination in terms of mental health treatment.

The court was told new processes and systems had been implemented by corrective services in the years following Mr Row Row’s death.

Mr Row Row’s family had submitted better mental health services, including hiring male psychologists and allowing community-based support services access to prisons, should be considered.

Mr Ryan referred his findings to the existing Closing the Gap partnership but made no further recommendations.

Outside court, Mr Row Row’s partner Glenda Barnes paid tribute to the loveable family man affectionately called “Froggy”.

“He was a happy-go-lucky person, he had the funniest laugh ever,” Ms Barnes said.

“He was a loving family member to his brothers and sisters, cousins … he always put family first.”