Key Takeaways
- Caleb Moefa’auo, a 26-year-old man with a history of mental health issues, died in custody at Mt Eden Prison in 2022 after being pepper sprayed by a Corrections officer.
- The officer who sprayed Moefa’auo has given tearful evidence at a Coronial Inquest, stating that they would have approached the situation differently if they had known more about Moefa’auo’s mental health history.
- The inquest is examining the circumstances of Moefa’auo’s death, including whether the officers involved adequately took into account his mental health issues.
- The Corrections officer who sprayed Moefa’auo has acknowledged that they might have tried talking to him for longer or creating more space between them, and has expressed regret over the outcome.
- The inquest has heard that Moefa’auo was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had been staying at a residential unit to support people with mental health issues before being sent to Mt Eden Prison.
Introduction to the Inquest
The second phase of a Coronial Inquest into the death of Caleb Moefa’auo is underway in the Auckland District Court. The inquest is focused on the circumstances of his death, how his mental health contributed to what happened, and whether the officers involved adequately took this into account. Moefa’auo had been previously diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and was staying at Tiaho Mai, a residential unit to support people with mental health issues, after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and shoplifting in June 2021. He was sent to Mt Eden Corrections Facility in December 2021 after allegedly assaulting a fellow patient at Tiaho Mai and was later placed in the prison’s Intervention and Support Unit, after being found to be at risk of self-harm.
The Events Leading Up to Moefa’auo’s Death
The 26-year-old had a cardiac arrest after being pepper sprayed in 2022, in an altercation over returning towels following a shower. The officer who sprayed Moefa’auo gave tearful evidence, pausing a number of times to wipe their eyes. The officer, who cannot be named, had been charged with assault but was acquitted in a trial by jury. They said they would have approached Moefa’auo differently, if they had known more about him. The officer believed using pepper spray was necessary to gain control of the situation, but acknowledged that they might have tried talking to Moefa’auo for longer or creating more space between them.
The Officer’s Testimony
The officer’s testimony was emotional, with them choking back tears as they spoke about the impact of Moefa’auo’s death. "Caleb’s death has stayed with me," they said. "I have replayed those moments many times in my mind and have reflected deeply on what happened that day, what began as a situation I believed I needed to manage for safety reasons ended in the outcome that none of us could have foreseen or wanted." The officer recognized the deep loss the Moefa’auo family carried and acknowledged that they had learned from the experience. The officer’s testimony highlighted the complexities of dealing with individuals with mental health issues in a prison setting and the need for officers to be aware of the individuals’ histories and needs.
The Inquest’s Examination of the Officers’ Actions
The Coroner’s Court heard earlier from another Corrections officer who tried to take Moefa’auo’s towel prior to him being pepper sprayed. The officer said that as they read their statement, Moefa’auo was "passively resisting" when asked to hand the towel over. The officer believed that their response to the situation was appropriate, using verbal communication to try to resolve the situation. However, as Moefa’auo went to pick up more towels, he was confronted by other officers, and the situation escalated, leading to the pepper spraying. The inquest is examining whether the officers involved followed proper protocols and procedures in dealing with Moefa’auo, and whether they adequately took into account his mental health issues.
The Importance of De-Escalation Techniques
The inquest has highlighted the importance of de-escalation techniques in dealing with individuals with mental health issues. The Corrections officer who tried to take Moefa’auo’s towel said that they try to talk to prisoners like they’re human, and aim to stay at a level with them to gain compliance. The officer’s approach is in line with best practices in corrections, which emphasize the importance of de-escalation techniques and building trust with individuals in custody. The inquest is examining whether the officers involved in Moefa’auo’s death followed these best practices, and whether they could have done more to de-escalate the situation.
The Family’s Lawyer Scrutinizes the Officer’s Actions
The lawyer representing Moefa’auo’s family, Sam Wimsett KC, grilled the officer on the stringent rules around towels and the use of pepper spray. Wimsett asked if the officer thought they could have given Moefa’auo more of a warning, to which the officer agreed. Wimsett pointed out that pepper spray fell under the use of force, and that the physical use of force was meant to be the final option. The officer acknowledged that they did not use any other options to try to de-escalate the situation, highlighting the need for officers to be trained in de-escalation techniques and to use them in situations like the one that led to Moefa’auo’s death. The inquest is ongoing, and it is expected to provide more insight into the circumstances surrounding Moefa’auo’s death and the actions of the officers involved.