Story from ABC News Online

Western Australia's Deaths in Custody Watch Committee is calling for both the State and Federal Governments to hold a public inquiry into racism in the justice system.

Chairman Marc Newhouse says committee members believe the recommendations of a coronial report into the death of Warburton elder Mr Ward do not go far enough.

Mr Ward died from heatstroke in January last year after being driven almost 600 kilometres in a prison van in 42-degree Celsius heat without air conditioning.

Mr Newhouse says the system is grossly racist and needs urgent reform.

"There is systemic racism embedded in how the justice is administered, and his death really needs to act as a pivotal point to start to transform our justice system into one which does treat people equally before the law," he said.

"It's important that we get it right because Mr Ward's death really has brought out all that is wrong with the system, which deals with many Aboriginals that come into contact with it with the sense of indifference."

The committee is compiling a report on Mr Ward's death.