A Western Australian coroner has ruled that the death of Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang boss, Jamie Leslie Ginn, was the result of a cocaine overdose he suffered while in custody at Hakea Prison. The finding comes after a detailed inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death in May 2022.
Critical Failures in Supervision and Response
State Coroner Sarah Linton delivered her findings, identifying several significant failures that contributed to the tragic outcome. Jamie Ginn, 43, was found unresponsive in his cell at Hakea Prison on the morning of May 2, 2022. Despite being under observation due to his high-profile status and known history of substance abuse, the inquest heard that checks on him were not conducted as required.
The coroner determined that prison officers failed to perform adequate visual checks on Ginn during the critical period. Evidence showed that an officer did not properly look into the cell during a routine round, missing the opportunity to see Ginn in medical distress. Furthermore, when Ginn was finally discovered, there was a delay in initiating CPR because the officer who found him first went to report the incident rather than immediately calling a medical emergency code.
A Timeline of Missed Opportunities
The inquest painted a picture of a system that failed at multiple points. Jamie Ginn had been remanded in custody on serious charges, including allegedly committing an act intended to cause grievous bodily harm. Due to his profile, he was placed in a protection unit. Toxicology reports confirmed the presence of a lethal level of cocaine in his system, along with other substances.
How the cocaine entered the prison remains officially undetermined, though the Coroner noted the possibility of internal trafficking. The investigation revealed that Ginn had likely ingested the drug shortly before he was locked in his cell for the night. The period between ingestion and when he was found was marked by the inadequate checks that could have saved his life.
The coroner found that Ginn's cause of death was combined drug toxicity, with cocaine being the primary contributor. She concluded his death was accidental, occurring in the context of poor supervision and a delayed emergency response.
Recommendations for Systemic Change
In her findings, Coroner Linton did not make formal recommendations but strongly emphasised the need for corrective action. The inquest highlighted the necessity for:
- Strict adherence to prisoner observation protocols, especially for high-risk individuals.
- Clear and immediate emergency response procedures when an unresponsive inmate is discovered.
- Ongoing vigilance in combating the introduction of illicit drugs into the prison system.
The findings have been forwarded to the Department of Justice and the WA Police for their information. The case underscores the duty of care owed to all individuals in custody, regardless of their background or alleged crimes. The death of Jamie Ginn serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when procedural safeguards are not followed.
