Hobart inquest into the deaths in custody of Troy Colin Monson, Robin Michael, and Scott Mitchell hears final submissions

A LONG-running coronial inquest into the deaths in custody of three Tasmanian prisoners has heard final submissions in Hobart.

The Hobart Magistrates Court building in Hobart.

A LONG-running coronial inquest into the deaths in custody of three Tasmanian prisoners has heard final submissions in Hobart.

Coroner Simon Cooper opened the inquest into the 2015 deaths of Troy Colin Monson, 42, Robin Michael, 63, and Scott Mitchell, 23, in August last year.

Mr Monson died in a prison transport van between Launceston and Hobart, while accused murderer Mr Michael was found dead in his cell in Risdon Prison.

Both men were on remand and died by suicide a week apart in June last year.

A month later, Mr Mitchell, 23, collapsed and died in Risdon’s minimum security unit from an apparent medical condition.

The inquest heard final submissions from legal representatives this afternoon, including counsel assisting the coroner Robert Webster.

Mr Webster said on the day Mr Monson died, he did not believe the inmate was in a fit state to be transported to Hobart in the manner that he was.

Mr Webster also told the coroner that the evidence from one correctional officer — who helped escort Mr Monson to Hobart and who told the inquest he thought the prisoner had been asleep — did “not bear scrutiny”.

Mr Webster also submitted that the Tasmanian prison service should stop issuing any footwear which included shoelaces.

Coroner Cooper adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.

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Originally published as Hobart inquest into the deaths in custody of Troy Colin Monson, Robin Michael, and Scott Mitchell hears final submissions