2 February 2022

Inmate found dead at Canberra prison

| Kim Treasure
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Prison wing

Inmates at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) have reportedly been in lockdown following a death. Photo: File.

Detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre have reportedly been in lockdown today after the death of a 27-year-old prisoner in the complex.

Police are investigating the death of the male inmate, who was found dead by corrections officers doing routine checks around 7 pm yesterday (1 February).

ACT Policing has notified the next-of-kin.

“We extend our condolences to the detainee’s families and friends,” a Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokesperson said in a prepared statement.

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“No further details can be provided at this time as the matter will be the subject of investigations by the police on behalf of the Coroner and by the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services.”

The ACT Government facility has been dogged by several incidents in recent years, including riots and fires.

Six incidents in the 2020-2021 financial year cost the ACT Government almost $600,000 in damages – 13 times greater than the $45,000 in damage that prisoners caused in 2019-2020 across four incidents.

Prison guards and AMC officers have repeatedly expressed frustration at their inability to deal with some prisoners due to what they say are a lack of resources.

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