We Thought It Was A Trap: Why Prison Officers Left Inmate Hanging In Cell

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday February 21, 2006

Natasha Wallace

TWO prison officers who discovered an inmate hanging in his cell ignored guidelines and waited, possibly up to five minutes, for assistance because they thought he was faking, a court has heard.

Brian Brook, a Long Bay prison officer, told an inquest yesterday into the death of Scott Simpson, 36, that he was "anxious" to enter the cell and start resuscitation immediately but was urged not to by a fellow officer, Greg McCormack, because of a possible dangerto themselves and an accompanying nurse.

"There was a big question mark over our safety ... we thought it might have been a set-up, a trap," Mr Brook told Westmead Coroner's Court.

Mr Brook said he was carrying prison keys and a cutting implement known at Long Bay as a 911 tool.

Simpson, who had been acquitted of murdering a cell mate, on the grounds of insanity, committed suicide in June 2004 while he was segregated awaiting a psychiatric bed. He had already spent two years in isolation for 23 hours a day at Goulburn's high-security wing.

Asked if it was possible that it took five minutes for the night senior to arrive, Mr Brook replied: "I'd be surprised if it was that long, but in saying that it might have been."

A subpoena had been issued for Mr McCormack so he could give evidence, but police had been unable to find him.

The guidelines for deaths while in custody clearly state that prison officers are to immediately enter a cell and take the inmate down and attempt resuscitation.

In cases where there is only one officer, they are to call for help, but nevertheless still enter the cell and lift up the body to help reduce the weight.

Giving evidence, two senior prison officers said Simpson was angry and frustrated at being segregated in the prison.

Dino Krizman, the area manager, said he had reported to Justice Health that Simpson might harm himself or staff. "I could just hear the pain in his voice ... that was my fear," Mr Krizman said.

"I didn't want to walk into a cell with Scott Simpson hanging; I didn't want to walk into a cell where he was attacking an officer." But he said Simpson had never been placed in a "safe cell", with no "hanging points".

The deputy governor, Nigel Lloyd, said he had "no control" over transferring Simpson to a psychiatric ward. He said it was policy not to enter a cell until a senior officer had arrived.

"Scott was deemed as a threat to staff at the time, and we would take precautions," Mr Lloyd said. "He might not be hanging. He could be pretending to be hanging and it could be a trap."

Simpson's mother, Terri, and sisters, Tracey and Kelly, are angry at what they see as buck passing between authorities. Simpson had already attempted suicide in the same cell.

At the hearing, Kelly Simpson told the Herald: "We're not getting any answers out of this ... I'm just sitting here getting angrier and angrier."

The hearing, which is being attended by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, continues.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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