Benjamin Shuman, 35, has been charged with murder in the death of 32-year-old Jason Douglas Wright. Wright was found dead in his cell at Yatala Labour Prison, in Adelaide’s north, on June 17, 2023. After a subsequent court hearing, Shuman was determined to be not guilty by reason of mental incompetence. His case raises significant issues about the treatment of mentally ill inmates by prisons. It further raises the question of what correctional facilities should be doing in this space.
Shuman’s defense barrister, Casey Isaacs, reported that his client is now in a “far better mental state” than in the past. Shuman’s defense counsel Isaacs given an apology on behalf of Shuman to the family of Wright during court proceedings. Though it was under the saddest of circumstances, two psychological evaluations were filed with the court. They disclosed Shuman’s attitude, that he is “open to rehabilitation,” providing a sliver of hope for his future.
Court Proceedings and Findings
Justice Anne Bampton presided over the committal hearing and found prima facie evidence of murder. Surprisingly, Judge Joanie Shimizu decided at the same time that Shuman did not have mental competence at the time of the action. Justice Bampton found Shuman should be remanded. He will eventually go on to serve a shortened form of life at James Nash House, a psychiatric hospital that’s run exclusively for those with mental disorders.
The intricacies of Shuman’s case shed light on some deep systemic problems that deserve a closer inspection.
“It’s an absolutely heartbreaking thing to have happened.” – Susan Close
Family Frustrations and Concerns
Frances Wright, Jason Douglas Wright’s mother, joined the court hearing. She wrote a moving victim impact statement lamenting the lack of medical care for her son in the carceral system. She just wanted to make sure that the government wouldn’t fail her again. She challenged the ineffective oversight of mentally ill prisoners.
Wright’s testimony underscored her fight for more than 35 years to raise her son as he faced a range of mental health issues imposed upon him. She criticized the GDC and other systemic failures that allowed for her son’s tragic death.
“We have been let down by the government and the departments of mental health through to correctional services.” – Frances Wright
Wright fiercely advocated for the responsibility of care owed to mentally ill individuals imprisoned in desert-style high-security facilities. She asked, “Where is the duty of care when an acutely mentally unwell person… on remand with no previous convictions, is incarcerated in high security prison… then placed in a cell with inadequate supervision with somebody suffering mental illness?”
Calls for Systemic Change
As Frances Wright implored in her emotional address, the stigma of mental health results in misunderstandings and dehumanization. Here, she makes the case for jail reform in order to target these agreed upon aims of jail more directly and effectively.
“Some things need to change and be addressed.” – Frances Wright
Wright’s sentiments deeply echo the hearts of so many advocates out there. Like us, they know that people with mental health conditions deserve personalized, compassionate care and effective treatment. Her impassioned call for reform serves to emphasize the growing understanding that mental illness is a medical condition. It requires personalized treatment, not criminalization.
As this case unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for improvements in how correctional facilities manage inmates with mental health issues. The tragic death of Jason Douglas Wright serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when such individuals are not adequately supported.
