Family of Aboriginal man TJ Denniss say lack of mental health support contributed to death in custody

Indigenous advocates have called for a joint NSW and ACT inquiry into the death in custody of Tian-Jarrah ‘TJ’ Denniss. File photo of a Black Lives Matter march in Sydney in 2021. Photograph: Richard Milnes/Rex/Shutterstock

The family of an Aboriginal man who died in custody has said prolonged solitary confinement without adequate mental health support despite repeated suicide attempts and multiple transfers within the New South Wales prison system contributed to his death.

Tian-Jarrah “TJ” Denniss, a Wiradjuri man, took his own life on 5 August at Silverwater prison.