We are heartbroken and outraged by the needless death of a 19-year-old young man, known as Joel, in the Goulburn Correctional Centre.
‘Joel’s death was not a tragedy of circumstance. It was a direct result of a system that routinely neglects, dehumanises, and disappears those it cages,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
Joel was left alone for 18 hours—no human contact, no wellbeing checks, no regard for his safety. He died alone in a cell after asking to be moved for his protection. His request was ignored. The system moved slowly, while his death came quickly.
The Coroner’s findings are damning:
- That a young, vulnerable person was isolated for such an extraordinary amount of time is unacceptable.
- That he was fed at 2pm and received no further nourishment until 7am is inhumane.
- That his cell was known to be dangerous but remains only “non-operational” is disgraceful.
‘Corrective Services NSW claims they are committed to reducing preventable deaths. Yet time and time again, we see the same excuses: staffing shortages, funding issues, and promises of more capital works. They point to $16 million spent on “anti-ligature infrastructure” as if new toilets and taps can replace the human contact and care that might have saved Joel’s life,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘There is always enough money and police to lock people up—but never enough to keep them alive. That’s not a funding issue. That’s a moral failure,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘We are tired of the reform rollercoaster. We are tired of inquests that tell us what we already know. We are tired of hearing that someone’s death was “preventable” only after it is too late,’ said Tabitha Lean.
There is no such thing as a safe cage.
There are no humane prisons.
‘This system is doing exactly what it was built to do: disappear people who are young, poor, Aboriginal, disabled, or in need of care—and call it justice,’ said Tabitha Lean.
The National Network honour Joel’s life, his fear, his voice, and his family’s courage in seeking answers. He should be alive today.
We demand an end to solitary confinement.
We demand an end to the carceral system that produces these deaths.
We demand an end to human warehousing in cages.
‘The question isn’t whether this will happen again. The question is: when will we finally stop it?’ said Tabitha Lean.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
