Aboriginal woman pepper-sprayed by prison guards during self-harm incident

An Aboriginal woman in her early thirties was pepper-sprayed during a self-harm incident at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. (ABC News: Michael Black)

An Aboriginal woman was pepper-sprayed by prison guards during a self-harm incident at the Alexander Maconochie Centre last year.

A review by the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services found prison staff responded as if it were a security emergency, rather than a medical one.

The ACT Inspector of Custodial Services has made four recommendations, including a ban on the use of chemical agents in such circumstances.

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An Aboriginal woman was pepper-sprayed by prison guards during a self-harm incident at the Alexander Maconochie Centre and was not seen by a medical officer until the next day, according to the ACT's prison watchdog.

A review into the incident by the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services found there were "serious gaps" in the way staff responded to the situation, and has recommended a ban on the use of pepper spray in certain circumstances, as well improving therapeutic responses to self-harm.

The woman, in her early thirties, was experiencing "acute mental distress" in the weeks leading up to the incident at Canberra's jail in July 2025, according to the review.

She was denied permission to attend NAIDOC celebrations, and later climbed onto a roof in protest.

She was then placed in separate confinement for 28 days and had her privileges removed.

On 24 July, the woman used the intercom in her confinement cell to request access to an Aboriginal art program, but was refused due to her disciplinary status.

According to the review, she then engaged in "serious self-harming behaviour".

Correctional officers responded immediately and, after attempts to de-escalate the situation, used oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray and restrained her.

She was then escorted by 14 officers to the Crisis Support Unit without a health assessment, and was not seen by a medical officer until the next day.

The review also found that the woman was strip searched on entering the Crisis Support Unit without reasonable grounds, and despite an ACT Supreme Court ruling last year that such searches in those circumstances were unlawful.

ACT Inspector of Correctional Services Rebecca Minty says prison staff prioritised control over care when responding to the incident. (ABC News: Adam Shirley)

ACT Custodial Inspector Rebecca Minty said the review's findings revealed the need for therapeutic responses to detainees in distress who do not pose a risk t