Inmates alerted guards about friend's self-harm concerns

Ricky-Lee Cound died three years ago in a Western Australian prison. He was the first adult inmate in the state diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Cound sought help for self-harm before his death but did not receive adequate support from prison staff. On the day he died, Cound had expressed concerns about harming himself and requested to be monitored. Fellow inmates also alerted guards about his situation. However, prison officers ignored these alarms. Instead of addressing his requests, they checked a minor issue first—a water spill. Coroner Philip Urquart released a report today, three years after Cound's death. He said that the failure to place Cound in a safe, monitored cell contributed to his demise. Just hours after he asked for help, Cound was found unresponsive in his cell. When officers finally checked on him, more than two hours had passed since Cound's initial call for help. Instead of responding, they prioritized addressing a spill in another area. This delayed response was critical, as Cound had already been in distress. Cound was found unresponsive later that evening. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died at the hospital. The coroner’s report highlighted serious gaps in care, particularly regarding the management of inmates with FASD. It called for improvements to prevent future tragedies, especially among First Nations prisoners. Cound's case is similar to that of Cleveland Dodd, a teenager who also received little help prior to his death in custody last year. Both cases have raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable inmates. Urquart made eight recommendations aimed at improving treatment for prisoners with FASD and reducing suicide risks. Cound’s family has expressed deep sorrow over his death, emphasizing his importance as a loved one, not just another statistic in the prison system.