A leaked email has revealed the head of the prison where Veronica Nelson died in custody told staff last year the Aboriginal woman's family wanted "someone to blame" and accused the media of sensationalist coverage.
Veronica Nelson's family has given permission for the use of her name and image.
As coronial hearings into Veronica's passing began last year, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre's then-prison manager, Tracy Jones, emailed staff to warn the media were painting a "very negative picture" of Veronica's treatment.
Ms Jones said she had been unaware the coroner would release "disturbing and distressing" prison footage and intercom calls to the media.
"We sought to get a suppression order to blur staff faces but we lost and therefore the news stories are viewing all staff interacting with Ms Nelson," she said.
Ms Jones said the release of the footage despite attempts by authorities to suppress it was "unfortunate for staff and families".
"It will also distress the women in our care I suspect, as it's really sensationalised media and none of it positive," Ms Jones said.
Tracy Jones's full email on April 26, 2022
Hi all,
Some of you may have heard me speaking about this on the morning parades this morning and last week but today the coronial inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson commenced.
I have just had the unfortunate task of looking at all the media reports and we were unaware that the Coroners court would release the actual prison footage and intercom calls to the media.
The viewing is particularly disturbing and distressing.
The media have painted a very negative picture of the death and staff interactions with Ms Nelson.
We sought to get a suppression order to blur staff faces but we lost and therefore the news stories are viewing all staff interacting with Ms Nelson. (not only witnesses of this hearing but others too)
This is out of our control and whilst we have sought legal advice on the airing of this footage by media channels, it's very unfortunate for staff and their families.
It will also distress the women in our care I suspect, as it's really sensationalised media and none of it positive.
The actual intercom calls from Ms Nelson to staff, were played on all major news channels, as was the reception of Ms Nelson, her vomiting and screaming in her cell and it's pretty horrendous!
I want you all to prepare yourselves for seeing this footage, hearing how the prison has been highlighted and do not take it personally.
The family are angry and grieving and they want someone to blame for the death of their daughter/partner/sister/niece.
Please take care, look after each other and get support if you need it.
Cheers
Tracy Jones
Prison boss later acknowledged failures
Weeks later, Ms Jones told the coroner she'd been unaware of key information unearthed during the hearings, and agreed Veronica's treatment lacked compassion.
"The fact that she died in our care means we failed her," Ms Jones told the inquest.
"On behalf of Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and myself I wanted to pass on and offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Veronica and pay my respects."
Veronica Nelson's partner, Uncle Percy Lovett, said he was shocked to read the email.
"I can't believe she said that we were just angry and wanted someone to blame," he said in a statement to the ABC.
"We just wanted answers to what happened to Veronica and to find out the truth and make sure it doesn't happen again.
"I'd like to see what she'd say if it was someone from her family."
A coroner this week found Veronica's death was preventable and caused in part by a stigma towards drug users at the prison.
Lawyers for Veronica's mother Aunty Donna Nelson on Wednesday expressed concern about the way Ms Jones expressed herself in her initial email.
"Coroner McGregor commenced his landmark finding wondering how Veronica's heart-wrenching pleas were ignored," Robinson Gill lawyer Ali Besiroglu said.
"This cruel email by the Governor of DPFC provides insight into the insensitive culture that existed from the top down.
"This wasn't the media being sensational — the only thing sensational about the evidence was the lack of empathy and humanity afforded by the Governor and her employees."
Premier says prison boss's comments 'not acceptable'
Premier Daniel Andrews said he was "most concerned" by the email's contents and had asked bureaucrats to provide him with a briefing.
"That's not acceptable to me in any way, this is a terrible tragedy," he said.
"Again I offer my full apology and again state that I and the government will take full responsibility to make profound reform as a result of what occurred to Veronica Nelson."
When approached for comment, the Department of Justice referred the ABC back to its earlier statement that declared its commitment to reform and acknowledged it "must do better" after the release of the coronial finding into Veronica's death.
