Finding into death of Jason Thomas Muir

Contributing factors

• Inadequate in-person mental health support post-release
• Lack of documented mental health care plan from general practitioner
• Insufficient follow-up on housing applications and post-accommodation period
• Caseworker located 35km from accommodation during COVID-19 remote service delivery
• Failure to hold required pre-release case management review meeting
• Housing insecurity and precarious accommodation ending on date of death
• Recent release from custody with complex psychosocial needs

Coroner's recommendations

1. Corrections Victoria's Transition and Reintegration Unit should conduct an audit of the Reintegration Pathway Service to determine if support provided was adequate
2. ACSO should ensure direct service provision (in-person contact) with participants post-release, particularly for those in geographic proximity
3. Ongoing applications such as housing applications should be followed up with outcomes clearly documented in case management records
4. Culturally-specific support services should be explored for Aboriginal participants, including housing options
5. Mental health needs must be clearly documented in case notes, including whether a mental health care plan is being pursued via GP, to inform future referrals
6. Pre-release case management review committee meetings must be held six to eight weeks before release, with focus on accommodation and adequate preparation
7. GEO should update processes to prevent future failures to schedule required pre-release CMRC meetings