Veronica Nelson Coronial Inquest | Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, and in-depth discussion of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This episode of Doin' Time, the first of 2023, is dedicated to Veronica Nelson, who died in custody at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on January 2, 2020. This week's show begins with a recap of the Findings of the Coronial Inquest into the passing of Veronica Marie Nelson, delivered today at the Coroners Court of Victoria, and the statements issued today by Aunty Donna Nelson, Veronica's mother, and Uncle Percy Lovett, Veronica's Partner. Marisa then invites Cheryl Axleby (Co-Chair of Change the Record) on the program to discuss Australia's need to implement UN anti-torture protocols, calling for independent oversight of police and prisons in this country and changes to bail laws and the age of criminal responsibility. She discusses the limited adoption of the recommendations outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody over 30 years ago, and how not only are Aboriginal men women and children increasingly disproportionately imprisoned, but also now six times more likely to die in custody on average.  Last up on today's program, Marisa invites Uncle Kelvin on the program to discuss several topics all coming back to the need for unity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, including "Australia Day", and his perspectives on processes affecting incarceration rates and the facets of the Voice to Parliament. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for further coverage on the Findings of the Coronial Inquest of Veronica Nelson.