Prison healthcare shake-up

Jade Jungwirth

Following amassive shakeup to the state's prison healthcare system Dhelkaya Health in Castlemaine will become the lead healthcare provider for prisoners at Tarrengower Prison from July 1.

Private healthcare provider GEO Group

Australia will be replacing Correct Care Australasia in the state's male prisons, including the two in Castlemaine, and maximum security Dame Phyllis Frost in Ravenhall will receive healthcare from Western Health.

This follows afive-week inquest into the death of 37-year-old Veronica Nelson, aproud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta who died in custody at Dame Phyliss Frost in January 2020 and awrongfuldeath lawsuit brought against Correct Care, the Victorian government, Corrections Victoria, the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the executive director of Justice Health by Ve- ronica's partner of 20 years, Percy Lovett. Aprison employee spoke to the Express about their experiences of the healthcare system within the prisons. "It's atoxic culture and means the prisoners often have difficulties accessing decent healthcare.

Continued page 4.