Son’s funeral plea from jail
THE family of a man on remand for theft, drugs and fraud charges wants the public to help raise $1700 so he can attend his father’s funeral on Friday.
Kalen Wayne Pearce has been given permission to go to his dad Wayne’s farewell, but only if the family can pay the money to cover the cost of two police officers to chaperone him to the funeral.
Gold Coast Kamilaroi man Wayne Pearce, 57, died suddenly at home on November 18.
Kalen Pearce is on remand in Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Wacol and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court next month on multiple charges, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of drugs, enter of premises, stealing and fraud.
He is yet to enter a plea. Relative Terri-lee Carter, who started a GoFundMe to help raise the $1700, said Pearce “deserved the chance to grieve properly”.
As of Wednesday just over $600 had been raised.
“Kalen Pearce is unfortunately in jail until next year and Wayne’s funeral will be held
this Friday,” Ms Carter explained.
“All of Kalen’s siblings have resorted to desperate measures to make this happen so that he can be with all of us.
“He deserves to not only mourn around family but to say goodbye to his old man without any systemic interference.
“Unfortunately, because Wayne’s death was completely unexpected, his family are only able to financially suffice for the ceremony and his burial and henceforth won’t have flexible funds to subsidise the two police officers.”
A Queensland Correction Services spokeswoman said each request to attend a funeral was individually assessed and subject to varying costs.
Several factors were taken into consideration such as timeliness of transport to and from a venue, availability of staff, individual risk assessment of the prisoner and their behaviour, and cultural connections to the deceased.
Associated costs are usually the responsibility of the prisoner or their family.
Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations Gary McCahon said above all else public safety was the “absolute focus of any decision” relating to leaves of absence (LOA).
“A full risk assessment of the prisoner and their behaviour is undertaken, including an intelligence scan to identify any possible risk to community safety,” he said.
“If there is any identified risk to community safety that cannot be managed, an LOA will be refused.”
But Prisoners’ Legal Service director Helen Blaber said there were better ways to deal with the “devastating issue” and it started with a review of overcrowded prisons.
She said her firm was regularly contacted by inmates – most Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander – desperate to attend the funeral of a loved one.
“In some cases and cultures, their lack of attendance can be seen as disrespectful. It’s pretty devastating and has been a really big problem for a long time,” Ms Blaber said.
“Allowing people to participate in those types of events can have far-reaching benefits in reducing their risk of antisocial behaviour.”
Ms Carter remembered the late Mr Pearce as a respected Kamilaroi man who was “deeply cherished and loved by his entire family”.
“He maintained an unwavering dedicated love for his family, particularly his children and grandchildren who were an intimate part of his life,” she said. “Wayne was a man of unyielding strength and resilience who fought, suffered and survived the enormity of his life with humility and dignity.
“He will be gravely missed by his Aboriginal sisters and brothers too.”