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Coroner Slams Health Delays After Indigenous Inmate's Death

3/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

NSW Deputy Coroner Harriet Grahame criticized health screening delays for Indigenous inmates after Gregory Merriman's death.
Merriman, a 58-year-old Yuin man, died of a heart attack after exposure to CS gas in a prison incident he did not participate in.
The inquest noted rising Aboriginal incarceration and deaths, and Grahame expressed concern that new policies could worsen health outcomes for Aboriginal inmates.

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Story summary

NSW Deputy Coroner Harriet Grahame criticized health screening delays for Indigenous inmates after Gregory Merriman's death.
Merriman, a 58-year-old Yuin man, died of a heart attack after exposure to CS gas in a prison incident he did not participate in.
The inquest noted rising Aboriginal incarceration and deaths, and Grahame expressed concern that new policies could worsen health outcomes for Aboriginal inmates.