Randell gives evidence at prison deaths inquest

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2000
Randell gives evidence at prison deaths inquest

Former international cricket umpire and convicted paedophile STEVE RANDELL has told
an inquest that anyone who wants to kill themselves in Hobart's Risdon Prison can find
a way to do it.

RANDELL, serving a four-year term for sexually assaulting 15 primary school girls,
is giving evidence into the deaths of five inmates at the jail.

He told an inquest yesterday that prison was hard for first-time inmates because there
was nothing to do.

He says he's been told by other inmates to neck up, meaning kill yourself, and the
best way of doing it was to use the cell heater.

RANDELL said he's had mostly good experiences with prison officers and the hospital
staff are excellent.

But after seven months he's still waiting on a psychological assessment.

RANDELL said he'd heard that FABIAN GUY LONG, one of the subjects of the inquest found
hanging in his cell on January 10, had mutilated himself.

He saw scars on Long's chest when they were in the shower.

He told the inquest that he heard LONG wouldn't take prescribed medication and other
prisoners forced him to hand it over to them.

The inquest continues.

AAP RTV dw/arb/dmc

KEYWORD: RANDELL INQUEST (HOBART)

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