Rickie Barron: Coroner finds Ron Barwick Prison should be completely replaced

A coroner investigating the suicide of a jailed Tasmanian child rapist has called for the “complete replacement” of a low security prison, after it was found the aged infrastructure made it too easy for prisoners to suicide. Warning: Distressing >

Risdon Prison's minimum security Ron Barwick unit. Picture: Department of Justice website

A coroner investigating the suicide of a jailed Tasmanian child rapist has called for the “complete replacement” of a low security prison, after it was found the aged facility’s infrastructure made it too easy for prisoners to hang themselves.

Coroner Simon Cooper made the call after the inquest into the January 2019 suicide of convicted rapist Rickie Underwood Barron at the Ron Barwick (RBP) minimum security section of Risdon Prison.

Mr Cooper said it was “abundantly plain” from evidence given by Director of Prisons at Tasmanian Prison Service, Ian Thomas that the RBP had numerous hanging points everywhere in the facility.

Mr Thomas said the facility had been a commission since the early 1960s, and that while significant works had been undertaken to modernise it – and remove “obvious ligature points” – that had not always been achievable.

Mr Cooper in his published findings noted that in some instances, it had been impossible to modify the facility because of limitations with the aged infrastructure.

Risdon Prison's minimum security Ron Barwick unit. Picture: Department of Justice website

Mr Cooper said the only “practical solution” to solve the problem of the “myriad hanging points” was the “complete replacement” of the RBP.

“Short of that, it seems to me appropriate to recommend that the Tasmania Prison Service continue to develop and implement plans to remove all, or as many as are reasonably possible, hanging points in accommodation in the Ron Barwick Prison,” Mr Cooper wrote.

It was also suggested that all steel frame beds in the facility be fixed to cell floors, or replaced altogether.

Mr Cooper noted the risk of suicide by a prisoner at the RBP was mitigated by ensuring “so far as is possible”, that any prisoner thought to be of risk was housed elsewhere.

Barron had been serving a 13-and-a-half year prison term at Risdon Prison before being approved to move into the low security section.

Barron’s wife told the inquest that during his incarceration, her husband would sometimes make threats to kill himself, but that he demanded she not tell the prison as it would “affect his life in custody”.

Barron’s cause of death was found to be suicide with no suspicious circumstances. Picture: Zak Simmonds

She said in her evidence that she believed Barron would only make the threat to “get to her”.

At the time of his death, Barron was being treated for anxiety and depression, but staff didn’t identify him as being at risk of suicide or self-harm.

Mr Barron did not disclose then, or at any time subsequently while in prison, that he had current suicidal ideation or intent.

As a result, the Tasmanian Prison Service nor CPHS were not aware of any reason to be concerned about his mental state.

“It is apparent to me … that [Barron] was obviously intent on [suiciding] and concealed that fact from prison and medical staff, as well as his own wife,” Mr Cooper said.

Mr Cooper confirmed Barron had died by suicide with “no circumstances of suspicion” and that he “received regular, consistent and appropriate treatment and access to treatment” while in prison.

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