Inquest into the Death of Wayne Fella Morrison (2024)
What was at stake
Aboriginal man restrained and hooded in transport van
What happened
Wayne Fella Morrison, a Ngarrindjeri man, died on 26 September 2016 after being restrained and hooded with a spit hood by Correctional Services officers while being transported in a prison van in South Australia. Morrison was placed in a prone restraint position with his hands and feet bound, and a spit hood was placed over his head. He lost consciousness during the journey and was found unresponsive; he never regained consciousness and died in hospital. The incident was captured on CCTV footage from inside the van, which showed the nature and duration of the restraint applied to him.
What the court decided
Aboriginal man died after being restrained and hooded by prison guards during transport. Video showed excessive force. Raised questions about use of spit hoods and restraint procedures.
Categories
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