For 15 years Ashley Martin dedicated his life to working as a corrections officer at Canberra's jail but when the psychological trauma of the job broke him, the system turned its back, his children have alleged.
Mr Martin's family is calling for a public coronial inquest to expose alleged administrative failures they say led to the 45-year-old's "avoidable" death.
The devoted father of six died by suicide in 2024.
Son Jayden Campbell said his 13-year-old sister found him lifeless in their backyard.
"She ran inside and said, 'Mum, I think Ash has hurt himself,'" Mr Campbell told The Canberra Times. "Mum tried to resuscitate him ... those two are by far the most impacted."
During his time working at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), Mr Martin's family said he was exposed to multiple traumatic incidents, including a severe personal assault, inmate suicides, and the violent 2018 prison riots.
In those days staff mental health was an afterthought, Mr Campbell claimed.
Recalling the aftermath of a suicide at the AMC, he spoke of his stepfather being questioned by police until the early hours: "When he walked out, the officer in charge gave him a business card... 'If you need help, call this number.' Then back at work the next day. No follow-up."
Back then, Mr Campbell said, the prevailing attitude of ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) management was "take a few days off, put it in the bin, get over it and come back."
Mr Martin was eventually diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and medically retired in 2023.
But 18 months into his retirement, the Justice and Community Safety (JACS) Directorate and the government's insurer, Employers Mutual Limited (EML), allegedly reviewed his case and ceased his pension payments.
Mr Campbell, speaking on behalf of his siblings and mother, alleged Mr Martin was sent an unsigned letter claiming he had committed fraud and was not on shift during the 2018 riots - the primary incident behind his PTSD claim.
The family, however, claim they have evidence proving Mr Martin was clocked in and actively on shift. In their view, timesheets were allegedly manipulated to cut costs.
Mr Campbell said the letter had an immediate and devastating effect on his stepfather.
"We think [Ash's death] was avoidable," he alleged.
"Telling someone who's severely unwell, like extreme mental health problems, that he's lying and he's faking it ... you've just taken away his means to support his family... just ripped everything out from underneath him."
Mr Martin died by suicide less than a week after receiving the letter in question. But the tragedy did not end there.
Jayden's sister-in-law, Tori, said her mother-in-law, also a corrections officer at AMC, returned to work just days later to maintain her income.
She said her mother-in-law was also first responder to two prisoner suicide attempts at the jail in 2025.
"Mum was back at work three days after the suicide attempt," son Tyler Campbell said.
His brother, Jayden, said the psychological toll had been catastrophic on his mother.
"She saved an inmate ... she has guilt that she saved an inmate, but couldn't save Ash," he said, describing the deterioration in her physical health where her weight plummeted from 100kg to 45kg.
"To make it look like she's doing well, she fills her pockets with weights."
Refusing to let Mr Martin's death be "swept under the rug", his family is asking the ACT Coroners Court to hold a hearing in the interest of public safety.
Mr Martin's family members are demanding AMC, JACS, and EML provide answers under oath.
"[Ash's] death was a direct result of the failures of the government of the day and the administration," Mr Campbell alleged. "The system was just unfair, unequipped to deal with someone with such severe mental health issues."
This masthead contacted ACTCS, JACS, EML and the ACT Coroners Court for comment.
EML's media team said the insurance company could not comment on individual claims.
A response from the Coroners Court Registry said the investigation into Mr Martin's death was ongoing and it was undecided whether a public hearing would be held.
The spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to comment on any findings or potential conclusions, including whether the death raises public safety concerns, while the investigation was under way.
"The concerns that have been raised about Mr Martin's involvement in a workers' compensation process are noted. The degree to which these concerns fall within the ambit of the coronial process is yet to be determined, but will be discussed at a future time with his family," the spokeswoman said.
An ACT government spokesman said staff safety and wellbeing was one of the ACTCS's highest priorities and extended its condolences to Mr Martin's family.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family, friends, and former colleagues of Mr Martin," the spokesman said. "As the matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the ACT Government to comment on the circumstances of the claim."
The spokesman said ACTCS had invested in health and wellbeing initiatives including its employee assistance program, a peer support program, leadership and development programs, upgraded fitness facilities and providing wellbeing spaces for prison staff.
