A two-week coronial inquest into Mark Holcroft’s death in custody begins on Monday, 18 July in the Wagga Wagga Local Court.
Mr Holcroft (pictured), 59, was a low security inmate who died of a heart attack while travelling in a NSW prison van between Bathurst Correctional Centre and Tumbarumba on 27 August 2009.
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is representing three members of Mr Holcroft’s family at the Inquest.
‘Mr Holcroft’s death again raises questions about the transport of prisoners, especially over long distances,’ said PIAC chief executive officer, Edward Santow.
‘The Holcroft family have waited two years for this Inquest.
‘PIAC and the Holcroft family hope the Inquest will shine a light on the conditions of long-distance transport for prisoners and lead to changes that will prevent such deaths occurring in future,’ Mr Santow said.
The Inquest is before his Honour Magistrate MacMahon, Deputy State Coroner.
It will be held in Wagga Wagga Local Court from 18 to 22 July, and in the Coroner’s Court in Glebe from 25 to 29 July 2011.
Photo courtesy of the Holcroft family.
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Ph: (02) 8898 6532 or 0400 110 169.