THE death of a mother of three at a West Australian prison has prompted a coroner to recommend urgently expanding mental health treatment options for female inmates.
Annabel Nicol, an intelligent and accomplished woman aged in her 40s, had endured an abusive relationship in Bali and personal tragedy, including the death of two brothers.
She became addicted to alcohol and committed crimes including burglary, stealing, obstructing police and trespassing.
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READ NOWMs Nicol was a remand inmate at Bandyup Women’s Prison when she took her own life in June 2015 after exhibiting symptoms of depression.
She left letters for her sons and a friend that described her loss of dignity and self-respect.
Coroner Sarah Linton said in her findings, released on Thursday, that staff managed Ms Nicol’s mental health as best they could with what they had.
“Although she retained the support of her family, she felt the loss of her reputation and freedom keenly, describing herself to a friend as ‘a woman who has lost all dignity, trust, love’,” she said.
The coroner recommended the state government prioritise funding a subacute mental health unit at the prison and a “female only” secure forensic mental health unit rather than sending women to the male-dominated Frankland Centre.
She also recommended allowing the release of court-ordered medical reports to staff who treat prisoners to improve the level of care provided.
Ms Linton acknowledged other coroners had made similar recommendations in the past.
“I am convinced these recommendations are appropriate and the need for them is urgent,” she said.
“I add my own voice to those that have come before me, in the hope that the government will take action.”
Ms Linton noted Corrective Services had previously requested a subacute unit at Bandyup but the government did not support it.
“The department intended to resubmit the idea later this year for consideration in next year’s budget estimates,” she said.
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