25 Mar 2025

Prisoner on hunger strike after alleged beating calls for footage to be made public

1:29 pm on 25 March 2025
Images of Dean Wickliffe released by Spring Hill Corrections.

Images of Dean Wickliffe released by Spring Hill Corrections. Photo: Supplied

A lawyer for hunger-striking inmate Dean Wickliffe says his client wants the footage of an alleged assault by prison guards to be made public.

The 77-year old was taken to hospital on Monday after having refused food since 10 March, claiming he was beaten by multiple guards at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.

Lawyer Sam Vincent told Morning Report Wickliffe wanted people to see what had happened to him.

Vincent said his team was in negotiations with the prision to have the footage released.

"Thus far, they haven't agreed to release it to us, and Mr Wickliffe has been seeking it for well over a week now," he told Morning Report.

"So it's a matter of getting them to agree to release it to us, which we believe is well within his rights."

A spokesperson said Corrections had received a request from Wickliffe's legal team to receive all video footage of the incident that occurred on 6 March last Wednesday.

The spokesperson said Wickliffe and his legal team were offered the opportunity to view the footage on site, which took place on Monday.

"We are currently considering if we can release a copy of the footage to Mr Wickliffe's legal team, while ensuring we do not compromise any potential investigations or employment processes."

A spokesperson confirmed Wickliffe had been taken to hospital on Monday.

Vincent said Wickliffe had lost a lot of weight and had begun to show impaired kidney function.

"As I understand, the concern is that his organs will begin to fail.

"Now that he's in hospital, he's on IV fluids, but he refuses to take sucrose, so he's remaining firm in his hunger strike."

There will be a parole hearing on Wednesday, which Vincent said his lawyer's may have to attend with Wickliffe from the hospital.

Vincent said he was aiming for Wickliffe's release to be ordered.

"In recent years, he has settled down. He's not harming anyone. He's not offending. He just wants to be left alone. He's extremely determined, and he's had enough. He's either been incarcerated or subject to the threat of being recalled to prison since 1972, and that's for manslaughter. He'll go all the way with this, and we're exceptionally worried for him."

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