Death of 18-year-old mother inside Victorian prison raises concerns over excessive solitary lockdowns
The sudden death of a teenage mother in custody at a maximum-security prison has sparked concerns about ongoing ‘lockdowns’ in jails.
Several former inmates at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC), a women’s prison in west Melbourne, raised flags about the lockdowns before Tarsha Golightly, 18, was found dead outside her cell on July 27.
A lockdown sees prisoners confined to their cells for 23 hours a day, sometimes the whole 24 hours.
They can be triggered by incidents, staff shortages and self-harm attempts.
Authorities confirmed Ms Golightly’s death is not being treated as suspicious and will be subject to coronial and workplace investigations.
It’s understood prisoners were kept on lockdown for several days prior to her death, News.com.au reported.
A family member described the loss from Ms Golightly’s death as ‘so profound that words never feel big enough’.
‘Our beautiful Tarsha was only 18 years old. She had an entire lifetime ahead of her, and her passing has left a space in our family that can never be filled,’ they wrote online.
Tarsha Golightly (above) was found dead outside her cell at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Melbourne, on July 27
Former inmates at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (above) blamed rolling lockdowns for prisoners’ deteriorating mental health
‘Right now, we are trying to do the impossible – grieve someone we love while also navigating the practical realities that follow such a heartbreaking loss.
‘Please check in on the people you love. Sometimes the biggest battles are the ones we cannot see.’
Two former inmates from DPFC believed Ms Golightly’s mental struggles were likely worsened by rolling lockdowns at the facility.
Kelly Flanagan claimed there were seven suicide attempts during her 30-day stint in the jail.
‘I am not surprised this has happened again. I said previously that lockdowns, lack of care (and) support would create death and it has,’ she said.
‘Shame on you. A child has lost their mother.’
Ms Flanagan had kept a handwritten log of lockdowns at the facility through February.
It showed there were lockdowns on 13 out of the 28 days.
Ms Golightly (pictured in 2020) was reportedly subject to several lockdowns in the days before her death
A wider spreadsheet covering January 2024 to May 2025 was made with the help of Ms Flanagan, other inmates, lawyers and other prison sources.
It claimed the DPFC’s Gordon Unit had 14 lockdown days between March and May this year due to ‘no staff’.
‘Just before I got out, the women at DPFC including me were being locked down as much as 60 per cent of the time,’ Ms Flanagan said.
Ashleigh Chapman, another former inmate at DPFC, similarly claimed the lockdowns took a massive toll on prisoners’ mental health.
‘Why do we have another death in custody? Because nothing has changed, conditions are getting worse. Mental health is strife, a young woman should not lose her life,’ she said.
Corrections Victoria acknowledged Ms Golightly’s death, and those of other inmates, had an impact on loved ones, victims of crime and corrections staff.
‘All deaths in custody are reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria, which formally determines the cause of death,’ it said.
If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
