Summary

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was establishned in October 1987 in response to growing public concern that the deaths in custody of Aboriginal people were too common and that explanations failed to assure people that Aborigines were not subject to pressures beyond those normally experienced by persons held in custody. The task gi ven to the commission was to inquire into the Aboriginal custodial deaths occurring within the time frame of the Commission's investigation and to inquire into 'any subsequent action taken in respect of each of those deaths including the conduct of coronial, police and other inquiries'.