TWO more deaths in custody overnight of Indigenous ppl. I hate that Indigenous issues invariably become whataboutism in this country. The inevitable “yes but White ppl are dying just as much in custody” is always what becomes amplified 1/5

While from a pure number perspective there are comparative deaths. But given we are 3% of the population & make up as many deaths as 97% of the rest of Aust is clearly being lost on ppl. If not how about the fact 50% had not been convicted but detained in custody by police.2/5

40% who died from “natural causes” had asked for medical assist & didn’t get it. 30% in custody for “good order offences”-eg drunk,disorderly; non payment of fines. A 25% inc last yr alone of judges not giving bail to black ppl & a 22% increase in the time spent on remand 3/5

As a psychologist I do significant free criminogenic assessments because there are few if any psychs in this country capable of them. Our ppl get held in custody awaiting assessment & often die there. It’s a disgrace 4/5

In Aust we have yet to validate a criminogenic assessment for Aboriginal ppl. Current tools inflate criminogenic risk. Where is the Closing The Gap here? Why are the decision makers not fixing this fundamental flaw that has so many significant knock on effects 5/5