MEDIA RELEASE
29 October 2025
DEATH OF YOUNG ABORIGINAL WOMAN IN CUSTODY SPARKS CALL FOR REFORM
Tasmanian advocate organisation, Engender Equality has called for reform after the death of Chelsea Bracken at Mary Hutchinson Women’s prison on Monday 27 October.
Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas extends deep condolences to the family and friends of Chelsea Bracken for their profound sense of loss, grief and anger.
“While the circumstances of Chelsea’s incarceration and death are unclear, the factors leading to women entering and returning to prison are deeply complex and often rooted in repeated and intergenerational experiences such as family and sexual violence, homelessness, poverty and child removal.
We know up to 98% of women prisoners have experienced physical abuse and up to 90% have experienced sexual violence and/or survived childhood sexual assault.1
Kianna Whaling, a victim-survivor advocate with lived experience of the Tasmanian prison system said,
“Throughout my life, I was heavily addicted to substances as a coping mechanism to both numb and block out trauma that stemmed from intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
“As a result, I began selling substances to support my addiction which led to incarceration.
“Before my trial commenced I was told to prepare for 12 years and realised I needed to take steps to resolve my trauma and reached out to a counselling service.
I informed the prison nurse I was feeling a little uneasy after the counselling session and I was moved to solitary confinement under ‘suicide watch’ where I was left for several days without human contact, and only a camera monitoring my state.
Alina Thomas said we must move away from a model that punishes victim-survivors for surviving violence, and instead focus on support, rehabilitation and justice.
“Correctional staff need to be more trauma-informed, and protocols should be in place to prevent re-traumatising women in prison.
“Our justice system must do better at supporting victim-survivors in prison.” Ms Thomas said.
In the ten years from 2014 to 2024, Tasmania had the highest increase in the adult prison population; the highest increase in First Nations prisoners; and the highest increase in women prisoners of any State or Territory in Australia.2
Women with lived experience of violence and incarceration are available for interview by contacting 0415 740 524, email advocates@engenderequality.org.au or visit Advocates for Change – Engender Equality.
Ends.
Media Contact: Alina Thomas 0438 788 291