Lead

Another Aboriginal woman has died at Bandyup Women's Prison in Perth, the second such death at the facility in less than five weeks, according to reports from ABC Australia. The latest death occurred on Saturday morning, when a 40-year-old woman was found unresponsive in her bed. Staff administered first aid until ambulance officers arrived, but she was declared deceased. Preliminary reports indicate there were no suspicious circumstances, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

The death follows the passing of Patricia Howell, a 35-year-old Aboriginal woman who died at the same prison on March 16. The cause of her death remains unknown, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage from ABC Australia, the sole source for this story, has focused on both the personal tragedy of Patricia Howell's death and the wider political and systemic implications. One report highlights the emotional testimony of Howell's mother, Priscilla Kelly, who said her daughter had been "crying out for help for years" and questioned whether she received adequate medical care while incarcerated. Another report centers on calls from WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt for a transparent government review into the deaths, and for the state to fully implement outstanding recommendations from the 1991 royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody.

Both articles note that eight deaths in custody have been recorded in Western Australia so far this year, compared with four in 2024 and five in 2025 over the same period, according to Department of Justice data.

Key Claims

  • Patricia Howell died at Bandyup Women's Prison on March 16; the cause of her death is unknown, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • A second woman, aged 40, died at the same prison five weeks later, on a Saturday morning; she was found unresponsive in her bed, according to the Department of Justice as cited by ABC News.
  • The Department of Justice said preliminary reports indicated no suspicious circumstances surrounding the second death, and that WA Police would prepare a report for the state coroner.
  • Patricia Howell had "significant trauma" in her life and dealt with complex mental health issues, according to her mother, as reported by ABC News.
  • A 2023 audit of Bandyup Women's Prison noted record population growth and workforce challenges, according to ABC News.
  • There have been eight recorded deaths in custody in Western Australia so far this year, per Department of Justice data cited by ABC News.
  • WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt has called for a government review into the deaths, as reported by ABC News.
  • Megan Krakouer, director of the National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery project, said prisoner health must be prioritised, according to ABC News.
  • The 1991 royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody made 339 recommendations, which Pettitt says should be revisited and fully implemented, as reported by ABC News.

Perspectives

Family perspective: Patricia Howell's mother, Priscilla Kelly, described her daughter as a kind-hearted person who suffered significant trauma and complex mental health issues. She said her daughter had been "crying out for help for years" and questioned whether she received adequate medical care while in prison. Ms Kelly's sister Grace Kelly also tried to help Patricia get the support she needed.

Political perspective: WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt called the deaths "a big problem" and urged the government to review what is going wrong and prevent further tragedies. He also called for full implementation of the 1991 royal commission's 339 recommendations, which included wide-ranging reforms to prison safety, justice diversion, and post-death investigation.

Advocacy perspective: Megan Krakouer, director of the National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery project, said prisoner health must be prioritised, echoing concerns that systemic issues with mental health services and prison conditions are contributing to deaths in custody.

Department of Justice perspective: The Department of Justice stated that the 40-year-old woman was found unresponsive and that staff administered first aid until ambulance officers arrived. It said preliminary reports indicated no suspicious circumstances, and that a report would be prepared for the coroner, as is mandatory for deaths in custody.