INQUEST issues regular press releases, provides extensive background briefings and its co-directors frequently comment in the print and broadcast media on the issues arising from our work. Media enquiries should be directed initially to our office on 020 7263 1111 or communications@inquest.org.uk

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2008
28 June		CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO DEATH OF STEPHEN BROWN IN HMP DONCASTER
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 28 June 2008 CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO DEATH OF STEPHEN BROWN IN HMP DONCASTER An inquest jury sitting at Doncaster Magistrates Court has today exposed a litany of serious failings at the privately-run Doncaster prison, regarding the care of 23 year old Stephen Brown who died as a result of streptococcal septicaemia at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on 19 March 2003, less than a week after arriving at the prison. During the month-long inquest, distressing evidence was heard about Stephen’s appalling medical and physical condition on arrival at the hospital. Evidence was heard from several other prisoners that they had repeatedly told nursing staff that Stephen was not simply suffering from the effects of drug withdrawal and that they were worried about his deteriorating health. Despite this information and concerns being raised by a prison officer, nursing staff failed to undertake basic assessments, including taking temperature and pulse. Stephen was only transferred to hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest. Nursing staff at Doncaster Royal Infirmary described being shocked by Stephen’s appearance on arrival at the hospital, with one experienced nurse saying that she had never seen someone in this condition in 20 years of practice. Stephen was chained to a prison officer in the hospital until the last minutes of his life although he was unable to move and evidently critically ill. The jury upheld the family’s assertions that they had repeatedly asked for handcuffs to be removed from Stephen as he lay dying in hospital, but this had been refused as it was “not prison policy”. Stephen’s family, who have waited five years for this inquest, said: “What we have heard at Stephen’s inquest over the last four weeks is that the prison failed absolutely in its duty of care to our lovely son. Our son had his problems, but we believed he would be safe when he was in prison. Instead he was left to die in squalor and pain. He did not deserve that, nobody does.” Philippa Matthews of Howells Solicitors, said: “Stephen Brown died just over five years ago. We heard at the inquest that Doncaster prison have implemented changes since Stephen's death. Let's hope that the changes that we have been told of mean that these tragic circumstances are never repeated.” Sian Griffiths, Casework Service Manager at INQUEST, said: “The treatment of Stephen Brown in Doncaster prison was degrading and inhumane. The failure by the prison to provide even the most basic nursing care to this critically ill man clearly shocked hospital staff and represents a completely unacceptable failure in the state’s duty of care.” Stephen Brown’s family was represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members barrister Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers instructed by Philippa Matthews of Howells Solicitors, Sheffield. NOTE: The jury returned a narrative verdict in the form of answers to 14 questions, which we have reflected in this press release.
28 July		RESTRAINT OF CHILDREN IN PRISON HELD TO BE UNLAWFUL
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 28 July 2008 RESTRAINT OF CHILDREN IN PRISON HELD TO BE UNLAWFUL The Court of Appeal has today held that the rules currently in force allowing children in custody to be restrained for reasons of “good order and discipline” are unlawful and must be quashed. The challenge was made in relation to amendments to the Secure Training Centre Rules which were brought into force in July 2007. The concern about the Rules stemmed in part from the deaths of Gareth Myatt - who died whilst being restrained by staff at Rainsbrook STC - and Adam Rickwood - who hanged himself in Hassockfield STC - after having been restrained. These cases raised concern about the legality of the use of force in STCs and resulted in the amendments being made back in July 2007. There was widespread concern at the time that the amendments were brought in to greatly widen the circumstances in which children could be restrained, and to legalise conduct by officers which up to that date had been prohibited. In a test case funded by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) it was submitted on behalf of the claimant – a child who had been held in a STC – that the rules had been introduced without proper consultation, without conducting a race equality impact assessment, and that they breached articles 3 & 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case was supported by the Children’s Commissioner and a wide-ranging coalition of other organisations, including the NSPCC, INQUEST and the Children’s Rights Alliance. In a decision made earlier this year the Administrative Court found that the amendments were introduced unlawfully due to the failure to properly consult and to carry out a race equality assessment but refused to quash the Rules. Today the Court of Appeal confirmed that the Rules should be quashed, not only due to the failure to consult but also because the changes breached articles 3 and 8. In a highly critical judgment given on behalf of the Court, Lord Justice Buxton stated that Secretary of State had “surprisingly” not appreciated that the Rules did change the policy concerning the use of restraint quite significantly. This in turn led to a series of failings in relation to the appropriate consultations that should have taken place. He paints a picture of a youth custody system that is inconsistent and incoherent, with worrying difference of opinion between key players: "…there is a history in the life of STCs of disobedience to legal and contractual requirements. We have seen how the Amendment Rules were introduced to legitimate practices that up to then were illegal and in breach of the operators’ contracts. And Hassockfield STC is run by, and the Secretary of State relies on the evidence of, a man who before the Rickwood inquest, and in these proceedings, sought, apparently unchecked by the Secretary of State, to argue that his contractual obligations were not binding.” " [para 74] The finding that the Rule authorising the use of force breached article 3 flowed directly from the chaotic administration identified by the judge. Mark Scott, a partner at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, acted for the child who brought the challenge as well as the families of Gareth Myatt and Adam Rickwood. He commented: “The Court has identified very clearly the dangers posed by the use of physical force to restrain children and the judgment is extremely critical of how the authorities have responded to this problem. It is difficult to understand how such a haphazard approach can be taken to the use of potentially lethal force against young people in the care of the state. Whilst my client is extremely pleased with the decision in his case, it is tragic that children have already died during or following the use of restraint in STCs." Deborah Coles, Co-director of INQUEST said: "This judgment is further condemnation of the failure of the state and privately-run companies to protect vulnerable children in the custody and care of the state, the result of which has been death, injury and psychological damage. We have heard nothing since the deaths of Adam Rickwood and Gareth Myatt that has convinced us that those with responsibility have properly heeded what has been exposed and that necessary and appropriate changes have or will now be made to safeguard children. Instead what has emerged is complacency and a reliance on a restraint review conducted behind closed doors that the government has refused to disclose in advance of its response, thus preventing consultation and debate; the very things criticised by this judgment. INQUEST remains convinced that the only way to prevent the suffering of children in custody and to ensure that more children do not die or are not injured is to conduct a holistic, independent inquiry in public into the way we treat children in conflict with the law with the proper involvement of families, children and those working within the system. That the government continues to resist such an inquiry, whose motivation would be protecting the human rights of children, is shameful." NOTES: 1. STCs hold young persons in custody between the ages of 12 and 17. There are four STCs in the country. 2. Article 3 prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment and article 8 protects the right to a private and family life.
21 July		INQUEST RESPONSE TO PUBLICATION OF IPCC ANNUAL REPORT
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 21 July 2008 INQUEST RESPONSE TO PUBLICATION OF IPCC ANNUAL REPORT Deborah Coles, Co-director of INQUEST said: “INQUEST’s casework and monitoring demonstrates that there are still a disturbing number of deaths which raise concerns about the treatment and care of vulnerable people in police custody and failings in the duty of care. Many of these concerns stem from the need for diversion of people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems from custody in the first place. Public confidence in the IPCC will only be sustained if there is proper public scrutiny of these deaths, the circumstances surrounding them are fully and fearlessly explored, and the police are held to account. The fact that there has been no overall change in the numbers of deaths following police contact or in police custody, plus the disturbing rise in police shootings indicates there is much more work to be done to prevent future deaths”
30 June		JURY CONDEMNS THE USE OF EXCESSIVE RESTRAINT IN THE DEATH OF KURT HOWARD
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 30 June 2008 JURY CONDEMNS THE USE OF EXCESSIVE RESTRAINT IN THE DEATH OF KURT HOWARD The jury at the inquest into the death of Kurt Howard returned a narrative verdict which described the prolonged use of face-down prone restraint on him as “excessive.” 32 year old Kurt Howard died on 29 June 2002 at Cefn Coed hospital in Swansea whilst sectioned under the mental health act. The inquest lasted nearly five weeks and was held before HM Coroner Philip Rogers sitting at County Hall in Swansea. During the inquest the jury heard evidence which raised serious concerns about the treatment and care Kurt received. In a seven page narrative verdict the jury catalogued a series of failings in staffing, training and facilities. Deborah Coles, Co-director of INQUEST said: “Evidence heard at this inquest is a damning indictment of the treatment of a vulnerable mentally ill young man who died a horrific death while being restrained. The scandal is that six years after Kurt’s death there is still no mandatory training on the use of restraint in psychiatric hospitals as recommended by the Rocky Bennett Inquiry in 2003. Excessive levels of restraint continue to be used in psychiatric institutions behind closed doors. The government must enforce national guidelines and implement compulsory training on restraint before further vulnerable patients die.” Kurt Howard’s family was represented at the inquest by barrister Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Joanne Kearsley of Farleys Solicitors. Both are members of the INQUEST Lawyers Group.
26 June		INQUEST TO OPEN INTO DEATH OF PRISONER STEPHEN BROWN
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 26 June 2008 INQUEST TO OPEN INTO DEATH OF PRISONER STEPHEN BROWN 10:00 am Monday 30 June 2008 Sitting before HM Assistant Deputy Coroner for South Yorkshire (Eastern District) John Sleightholme, Doncaster Law Courts, College Road, Doncaster DN1 3JH The inquest into the death of Stephen Brown opens on 30 June 2008 and is expected to last for four weeks. Stephen Brown died from streptococcal septicaemia in Doncaster Royal Infirmary less than a week after arriving at HMP Doncaster in 2003. He had collapsed at the prison whilst waiting for a transfer to hospital but died later the same day. Stephen’s family is very concerned about the quality of treatment he received in prison and hopes that the inquest - for which they have waited five years - will fully explore the circumstances surrounding his death. In particular they are hoping the inquest will examine: Whether Stephen received appropriate levels of care whilst in HMP Doncaster. Whether the seriousness of Stephen’s medical condition was recognised early enough. Why Stephen appeared not to have received medical treatment in prison prior to the day he died. Both Stephen’s family and INQUEST will give a statement at the conclusion of the inquest. Stephen Brown’s family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members barrister Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers instructed by Philippa Matthews of Howells Solicitors.
22 May		INQUEST TO OPEN INTO RESTRAINT-RELATED DEATH OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 22 May 2008 INQUEST TO OPEN INTO RESTRAINT-RELATED DEATH OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT 10am Tuesday 27 May 2008 Sitting before HM Coroner Philip Rogers, County Hall, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN The inquest into the death of Kurt Howard opens on 27 May 2008 and is expected to last for three weeks. Kurt Howard died on 29 June 2002 aged 32 at Cefn Coed Hospital in Swansea while sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He died following a prolonged period of restraint in the prone position. Kurt’s family has waited nearly six years for the inquest into his death. The family hopes the inquest will examine: why staff restrained Kurt for at least 55 minutes despite the widely known risk of death of such a prolonged period of restraint; concerns regarding the number of times Kurt was restrained in the days and hours before his death; whether the training of support workers and nursing staff involved in the restraint was adequate; failure by nursing staff to report Kurt’s death as being restraint-related. Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST, said: “The scandal is that six years after Kurt’s death there is still no mandatory training on the use of restraint in psychiatric hospitals as recommended by the Rocky Bennett Inquiry in 2003. Excessive levels of restraint continue to be used in psychiatric institutions behind closed doors. The government must enforce national guidelines and implement compulsory training on restraint before further vulnerable patients die.” Kurt Howard’s family is represented by barrister Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Joanne Kearsley of Farleys Solicitors. Kurt’s family will give a statement at the conclusion of the inquest.
15 May		INQUEST STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF PAULINE CAMPBELL
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 15 May 2008 INQUEST STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF PAULINE CAMPBELL The staff team at INQUEST are deeply saddened by the news of Pauline Campbell’s untimely death. Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST, said: "Having worked closely with Pauline since her daughter Sarah’s death in 2003 we were acutely aware of the impact the investigation and inquest had on her as she uncovered the horrendous circumstances in which Sarah died in HMP Styal. Borne out of her experience, Pauline became a formidable campaigner committed to exposing the injustices and inhumanity of the treatment of women in prison. Her death should remind everyone not just about the many unnecessary and preventable deaths of women in prison but also of the impact on the families they leave behind." Pauline was committed not just to campaigning but also to helping INQUEST’s work in supporting bereaved families. Most recently she contributed her thoughts about her experiences following Sarah’s death for our report Dying on the Inside: Examining Women’s Deaths in Prison. INQUEST's tribute to Pauline can be found here.
2 April		CROSS PARTY WELCOME FOR INQUEST'S NEW BOOK - DYING ON THE INSIDE: EXAMINING WOMEN'S DEATHS IN PRISON
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 2 April 2008 CROSS PARTY WELCOME FOR INQUEST'S NEW BOOK - DYING ON THE INSIDE: EXAMINING WOMEN'S DEATHS IN PRISON INQUEST's new book Dying on the Inside: Examining Women's Deaths in Prison was launched today in parliament at a meeting attended by cross-party MPs and peers. The book is the first comprehensive examination of women's deaths in prison in England & Wales between 1990 and 2007. It presents an alarming picture of preventable tragedy and the recommendations make fundamental proposals for change. The key recommendation of the book is the abolition of prison as the normal response to women who break the law and investment in radical community-based alternatives. For the first time the book brings into the discussion the largely unheard voices of bereaved families, some of whom attended and spoke at the launch. Chaired by Baroness Vivien Stern, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre for Prison Studies, the launch heard from the book's authors Marissa Sandler and Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST. Also speaking were Julie Morgan MP, member of the House of Commons Justice Committee; Jenny Willott MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on prisons; and Kirsty Blanksby, twin sister of Petra Blanksby, a 19 year old woman who died in HMP & YOI New Hall in 2003. Baroness Stern said: "I congratulate INQUEST on this exemplary publication. We don't need any more books, any more meetings about what is going wrong'we don't need any more recommendations; we need action."< Julie Morgan, MP for Cardiff North and member of the Justice Committee, said: "These are all preventable deaths - that is the saddest point that can be made. I am committed to ensure that this issue is kept on the government's agenda." Jenny Willott, Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said: "Prisons are effectively a dumping ground for people who are ill. This is not a party political issue, it's a human rights issue. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see it needs changing. It isn't working." Kirsty Blanksby said: "My sister died because she was a mentally ill woman who was wrongly sent to prison. I went through the same experiences as she did, but people believed in me ' I went to the right place, a therapeutic community, which is why I am here to day, and she is dead." Deborah Coles said: "It is shameful that the same issues of concern apparent in the 1990s are as prevalent today. This report provides incontrovertible evidence of serious human rights abuses of women in prison and the abject failure of the criminal justice system in dealing with women in trouble with the law. The research is so conclusive that the solutions are self-evident. We don't need any more reviews or reviews of reviews. We need the abolition of prison as the normal response for women who break the law and investment in radical, community-based alternatives must be prioritised. The complex reasons behind why women enter the criminal justice system ' homelessness, poverty, addictions, mental and physical ill health and sexual and physical abuse ' must be addressed as a matter of priority. Without the political will to drive forward coherent policy change the female custodial population will continue to rise and more women will die." More details on Dying on the Inside can be found here. Inquests into the deaths of four women in prison open on Monday 7 April 2008. Vicky Robinson, aged 26, died on 2 February 2005 in HMP New Hall. The inquest will be held at Wakefield Coroner's Court, 71 Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3BS, sitting before HM Coroner for West Yorkshire (Eastern District), David Hinchliff, and is expected to last three weeks. Sheena Kotecha, aged 22, died on 3 April 2004 in HMP Brockhill. The inquest will be held at Worcester Coroners Court, Bewdley Road, Stourport, Worcester, DY13 8XE sitting before HM Coroner for Worcestershire, Geraint Williams, and is expected to last two weeks. Lisa Woodhall, aged 28, died on 8 October 2006 in HMP Eastwood Park. The inquest will be held at Kings Weston House, Kings Weston Lane, Bristol BS11 0UR sitting before HM Deputy Coroner for the District of Avon, R, B, H Whitehouse and is expected to last one week. Lyndsey Wright, aged 30, died on 8 March 2005 in HMP Holloway. The inquest will be held at City of London Coroner's Court, Walbrook Wharf, 78-83 Upper Thames Street, London, EC4R 3TD sitting before HM Coroner Paul Matthews and is expected to last four weeks.
31 March		INQUEST URGES MPs TO VOTE AGAINST GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR 'SECRET' INQUESTS IN COUNTER TERRORISM BILL
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 31 March 2008 INQUEST URGES MPs TO VOTE AGAINST GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR 'SECRET' INQUESTS IN COUNTER TERRORISM BILL INQUEST publishes a detailed briefing paper today on the government's proposals for 'secret' death in custody inquests. The proposals are contained in Part 6, clauses 64-67 of the Counter Terrorism Bill 2008 which receives its second reading in the House of Commons tomorrow. INQUEST is urging MPs to call for the withdrawal of Part 6 of the Bill immediately. INQUEST is strongly opposed to the measures contained in the Bill which give the Secretary of State extraordinary powers to intervene in inquests where sensitive information is involved. The proposals could result in inquests into highly contentious deaths in custody taking place without juries, in private, with government-appointed coroners and counsel overseeing the evidence. This would exclude bereaved families, their legal representatives and the public at large from the investigation process. Helen Shaw, co-director of INQUEST said: "The proposals amount to a fundamental attack on the independence and transparency of the inquest system and could result in the inquests into highly contentious deaths involving state agents taking place without juries, in private, with government-appointed coroners and counsel overseeing the evidence. This would exclude bereaved families, their legal representatives and the public at large from the investigation process in breach of article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights.We have seen no arguments or evidence from the government to justify the imposition of such wide-ranging and draconian proposals and believe they should be withdrawn immediately." INQUEST's briefing can be downloaded here. Notes to editors: 1. The parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, the House of Commons Justice Committee, the Law Society and JUSTICE have all expressed similar concerns about Part 6.
7 March		JURY DELIVER CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO DEATH OF WOMAN IN HMP STYAL
6 March		INQUEST WELCOMES JCHR RECOMMENDATIONS ON RESTRAINT OF CHILDREN IN SECURE TRAINING CENTRES
29 February		JURY RETURNS CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO THE DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY OF ADRIAN COLDWELL
25 February		COURT FINDS THAT THERE WAS FLAWED AND UNLAWFUL DECISION MAKING LEADING TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF RESTRAINT ON CHILDREN IN SECURE TRAINING CENTRES
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 25 February 2008 COURT FINDS THAT THERE WAS FLAWED AND UNLAWFUL DECISION MAKING LEADING TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF RESTRAINT ON CHILDREN IN SECURE TRAINING CENTRES Judgment in a judicial review public interest test case on behalf of a black child AC found that the decision making prior to the Secretary of State for Justice introducing the Secure Training Centre (Amendment) Rules 2007 (the 2007 STC Rules) was unlawful. A High Court judicial review of the decision of the Secretary of State for Justice to introduce the 2007 STC Rules took place on 4-5 December 2007 and judgment has now been handed down. On 6 July 2007 the Ministry of Justice amended the rules governing the use of force within Secure Training Centres (STCs), broadening the circumstances in which young children can be forcibly restrained. The amendment was made in response to evidence that emerged during the inquests into the deaths of 14-year-old Adam Rickwood and 15-year-old Gareth Myatt. They both died in STCs, which are privately-run children's prisons contracted by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to detain children who are too young or too vulnerable to be placed in Prison Service-run Young Offender Institutions. The families of both Adam Rickwood and Gareth Myatt supported this judicial review application. At the inquests it emerged that staff regularly used restraint to secure children's compliance with instructions outside the strict criteria of the then Statutory Rules which govern STCs. Those Rules made it clear that the use of restraint should only be used as a last resort and only to prevent injury, damage to property, escape or incitement of another to do any of these things. It was always the position of INQUEST and other concerned NGOs and bodies that the 2007 STC Rules, which were introduced without any form of public consultation and permitted children being restrained for reasons of 'good order and discipline', significantly broadened the circumstances in which force could be used against children. Prior to and at the hearing, the Ministry of Justice and Youth Justice Board (who have responsibilities for the juvenile estate) persistently presented the rule change as simply being a 'tidying up' exercise and not amounting to any significant change in policy on restraint. However the Court 'unhesitatingly' found that the change was 'significant' and that the Secretary of State, if she 'had applied her mind to it, could [not] reasonably have seen it in a different way'. The Court declined to quash the Secure Training Centre Rules on the basis that a joint review is being conducted on the issue of restraint. Following the judgment the Ministry of Justice has also now undertaken to carry out a race assessment of whether the broadening of the power to restrain is discriminatory. Mark Scott of Bhatt Murphy, solicitor for AC, and for the families of Gareth Myatt and Adam Rickwood, said: "It is disappointing that an application to Court had to be made for the true nature of the change in the rules governing the use of restraint of vulnerable children in STCs to be recognised by the Ministry of Justice. Albeit that it is to be welcomed that the Court have recorded the unlawful failures of decision making prior to the introduction of the rules it is of concern that the rules have been allowed to stay in place when important safeguards of consultation and a race assessment have still not been carried out." Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST, said: "Despite the protestations of the Youth Justice Board and the Ministry of Justice that the rule change was merely to clarify the law, the Court has found it to be a significant change to policy, as we argued from the outset. INQUEST questions the government's commitment to learning lessons when we note that they have still not responded to the detailed rule 43 report made over six months ago at the conclusion of the inquest into the restraint-related death of Gareth Myatt. Our fear is that the narrow remit of the restraint review will not address the serious questions raised by the state-sanctioned use of force used against some of society's most vulnerable children." Notes to editors In a 17 page letter to Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, HHJ Pollard specified 34 preventative actions covering the treatment of children, the use of restraint, monitoring, good practice, access for emergency vehicles, and inspection of STCs. See here for details.
21 February		INQUEST TO OPEN INTO DEATH OF WOMAN IN STYAL PRISON
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 21 February 2008 INQUEST TO OPEN INTO DEATH OF WOMAN IN STYAL PRISON 9.15am Monday 25 February 2008, Sitting before HM Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg, Macclesfield Town Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1DP The inquest into the death Valerie Hayes opens on 25 February 2008 and is expected to last for two weeks. Valerie was found hanging in the segregation unit of HMP Styal on 10 May 2006. She was 42 years old. Valerie had a long history of mental health problems and drug misuse which escalated when her two children were taken into care in 1998. Following an incident in January 2004 she was convicted of arson and sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison. She was released on licence but was recalled to HMP Styal for breach of her licence conditions on 1 April 2006. In the last few days of her life Valerie made a number of serious self-harm attempts. Despite being on suicide watch and subject to an ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) form, Valerie was restrained and moved to the segregation unit on 10 May where she was found hanging at 4.15pm. The family hopes the inquest will examine: whether there was a failure to provide Valerie with the appropriate psychiatric assistance or timely assessment by the Mental Health Inreach Team; the quality of the care provided to Valerie following her decision to come off the methadone detox programme and whether there was a failure to ensure all staff members involved in her care were aware of the effect this may have had on her mental health; what communication there was about the details of the medication Valerie was receiving prior to her return to prison; the management of Valerie's suicide and self-harming risk, including the entries in the ACCT notes; the decision to place Valerie in segregation. Deborah Coles, Co-director of INQUEST, said: "Despite the high level scrutiny of Styal prison, serious concerns remain about the safety and quality of life for women held there. INQUEST has repeatedly highlighted the failure of the Prison Service to act on previous recommendations made as a result of inspections and investigations into women's deaths. Urgent action is needed to divert mentally ill women out of prisons which are incapable of meeting their complex needs." Janet Brough, Valerie Hayes' sister said: "Valerie was outgoing, chatty and well liked by everyone that met her. She was talented, had a lovely singing voice and played the guitar. Valerie was a loving sister and a bridesmaid to two of her sisters, a duty which she enjoyed very much. The same way Valerie loved us, we loved her back. All I want is that lessons are learnt from this tragedy and that her untimely death was not in vain, but has helped to change the circumstances for women in prison for the better." Valerie Hayes' family is represented by barrister Alison Gerry of Doughty Street Chambers, instructed by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Nancy Collins of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.
20 February		DAMNING CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF 16 YEAR OLD GARETH PRICE
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 20 February 2008 DAMNING CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF 16 YEAR OLD GARETH PRICE A jury today delivered a highly critical verdict at the inquest into the death of 16 year old Gareth Price. In an unusually detailed narrative, the jury highlighted failures by all the agencies involved in Gareth's care including Youth Offending Teams and the Prison Service. The jury concluded that the collective failings of the agencies ultimately contributed to Gareth's death. Gareth Price was found hanging in his cell at Lancaster Farms Young Offender Institution on 19 January 2005. The jury's verdict highlights concern over the inappropriateness of prison for troubled teenagers and the ability of the youth justice system to ensure the safety of children in its care. In his conclusion, the coroner Dr James Adeley stated: "What appals me about this death is the number of organisations and individuals who missed opportunities to intervene in Gareth Price's life... This wasn't a single missed opportunity but covered prison and community youth offending teams who failed both on a managerial and individual basis, to psychiatrists, psychologists, solicitor and the prison." The coroner has indicated he will be making a significant number of rule 43 recommendations to the relevant authorities with the hope of preventing similar deaths in the future. The jury found that the following contributed to Gareth's death: failure of YOT services to arrange meetings for Gareth, incomplete documentation and assessments, and haphazard communication between services; grave error of Gareth's family solicitor in doing nothing with a psychiatrist's report warning of the risk Gareth Price posed to himself around the time of sentencing; the psychiatrist who concluded Gareth was at risk assumed incorrectly her report would be shared with relevant agencies; serious omission by the prison not to have informed Gareth's parents that he had self-harmed; loss of prison psychologist's report highlighting Gareth's risk of self-harm in the internal mail; training of prison officers with regard to suicide prevention was inadequate; failure of health staff to monitor Gareth's mental health following self-harm episodes. The family made the following statement: "We will never understand why every agency involved in Gareth's care knew he was self harming and suicidal, yet nobody told us. What hurts the most is that warnings by experts that Gareth was at high risk of killing himself were not brought to the attention of prison officers and medical staff dealing with him either. If everyone involved with Gareth had done their job properly he might not have died". Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST said: "It is shameful that despite all the information available about how vulnerable Gareth was every agency that he came into contact with failed him. This verdict calls into serious question the competence of the Youth Justice Board and its fitness for purpose. Since Gareth's death two more children have died in custody, including a 15 year old who was also found hanging at Lancaster Farms YOI. How many more have to die before the government hold the Youth Justice Board to account for its failings and review the use of prison for vulnerable and troubled children? The government must set up a full and holistic public enquiry into the youth justice system before more children die". Gareth's family was represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Joanne Kearsley of Farleys Solicitors and barrister Colin Hutchinson of Garden Court Chambers. Notes to editors: Gareth Price first received counselling for symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when he was 14 following a series of traumatic bereavements in his early teens. Concerns about Gareth's mental health in prison prompted the commission of two expert reports which both identified a high risk that Gareth would attempt suicide around his sentencing date. Tragically, these warnings were either ignored or lost and Gareth hanged himself the day before he was due to be sentenced. During his five months in prison Suicide/Self Harm Warning forms were opened for Gareth on four occasions, yet his parents were never informed of his attempts to self-harm. Gareth was the 28th child to die in state custody since 1990. 30 have now died including Liam McManus who was found hanging at Lancaster Farms YOI on 29 November 2007 aged 15. A table of child custody deaths can be found here. The Youth Justice Board mission statement says, "The YJB oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. We work to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour."
15 February		INQUEST OPENS INTO THE DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY OF ADRIAN COLDWELL
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 15 February 2008 INQUEST OPENS INTO THE DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY OF ADRIAN COLDWELL 10am Monday 18 February 2008, Sitting before HM Coroner for West Yorkshire, David Hinchliff, Wakefield Coroner's Court, 71 Northgate, Wakefield WFI 3BS The inquest into the death of Adrian Coldwell opens on 18 February 2008 at Wakefield Coroner's Court and is expected to last for two weeks. Adrian Coldwell was found partly suspended by a cord from his track suit bottoms in a cell in Pontefract police station on 17 December 2004. He had a history of self harm and was already known to police as presenting a suicide risk. Adrian had twice been arrested and taken to the police station as a place of safety under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, the most recent occasion only three months before his death. Adrian's family are concerned about several aspects of the care he received during his time in police custody. The inquest is expected to explore a number of key concerns: Why, given his history of self harm, was Adrian apparently able to use a cord from his track suit as a ligature whilst in a police cell. Why were prescription drugs apparently given to Adrian by non-medically qualified police staff and what effect might these have had on his state of mind. Whether it is the case that routine checks on Adrian during his night in police cells did not take place and that it was at least two hours between the final check and Adrian being found. Whether a written error in taking down Adrian's name led to police not having access to his record of mental health difficulties and self harm. Did poor cell maintenance, leaving a gaping intercom switch as a potential ligature point, contribute to his death? Adrian's sister Jayne Sharp is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Ruth Bundey of Harrison Bundey solicitors
5 February		INQUEST INTO DEATH OF 16 YEAR OLD FOUND HANGED IN LANCASTER FARMS YOI EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE THIS WEEK
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 5 February 2008 INQUEST INTO DEATH OF 16 YEAR OLD FOUND HANGED IN LANCASTER FARMS YOI EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE THIS WEEK Before HM Coroner for Preston, North and South West Lancashire District, Dr James Adeley, sitting at Lancaster Shire Hall, Castle Parade, Lancaster, LA1 1YJ The jury are expected to retire to consider their verdict following the conclusion of the coroner's summing up on Thursday 7 February at the inquest into the death of 16 year old Gareth Price in Lancaster Farms YOI. Gareth was found hanging in his cell at Lancaster Farms Young Offender Institution on 19 January 2005. Gareth was the 28th child to die in state custody since 1990 and his death raises serious concerns over the ability of the criminal justice system to care for vulnerable children in prison. The need for lessons to be learnt from Gareth's death has been highlighted by the tragic death of another child at Lancaster Farms, 15 year old Liam McManus, who hanged himself there on 29 November 2007. Throughout the extensive three month inquest a catalogue of concerns has emerged in the evidence pointing to failures and inadequacies throughout the youth offending and prison services in relation to Gareth's care. The issues the jury will consider include: The failure by Youth Offending Team to hold a remand planning meeting and thereafter monthly meetings in respect of Gareth, in breach of national standards. The issue of the shortage of staff working within the Youth Offending Team and the impact that this may have had. The impact of the decision not to follow National Standards by the Youth Offending Team. The failure to bring to the attention of prison staff a psychiatrist's report which clearly identified Gareth as a suicide risk. The failure to inform Gareth's parents of his attempts to self-harm in prison. Whether Gareth's death was preventable. INQUEST will make a statement when the jury return their verdict.
1 February		JURY DELIVER CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN IN PRISON
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 1 February 2008 JURY DELIVER CRITICAL VERDICT AT INQUEST INTO DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN IN PRISON Yet another jury at an inquest into a death of a woman in prison has highlighted the inappropriate use of prison for vulnerable women. The jury at the inquest into the death of 19 year old Petra Blanksby delivered a critical verdict declaring 'prison was not an appropriate place' for Petra. Petra Blanksby died on 24 November 2003, following an incident at New Hall prison on 19 November when she was found in her cell having tied a ligature around her neck. The jury found that the following had contributed to her death: Traumatic life experiences including mental and physical abuse in early childhood, coupled with an unstable upbringing and a complete lack of emotional support. Prison was not an appropriate place in view of Petra's diagnosis. There appears to be no infrastructure in the forensic mental health service for people with her problems. At the conclusion of the three week inquest HM Coroner David Hinchliff said that he was struck by the comments of the consultant psychiatrist Dr Keith Rix. Dr Rix gave evidence to the inquest that in a civilised society someone as severely mentally disordered as Petra should not be in prison. The coroner announced he would using his power under rule 43 of the Coroners Rules to write to the Prison Service and the Department of Health in the hope of them providing appropriate facilities for women with similar problems. In a statement made after the inquest the family urged the government to implement the recommendations of the Corston Report. Kirsty Blanksby, Petra's sister said: "Petra was a wonderful mother and daughter, as well as a brilliant sister who always managed to warm the hearts of everyone around her. It is simply wrong that she was in prison instead of receiving the necessary and proper help for her deep-seated problems. We only hope that lessons will be learnt to prevent a similar tragedy happening again and for the government to realise that it cannot use prison as an NHS dumping ground for vulnerable women with mental health problems." Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST, said: "Petra was a vulnerable young woman who was criminalised for her mental health problems. Her death was entirely predictable and therefore preventable, for which someone should be held to account. We await the response of government ministers to the evidence heard at this inquest, and its verdict. They are responsible for criminal justice policies that fail to divert the mentally ill and vulnerable from custody. The failure to implement the recommendations of the Corston Report and invest resources in alternatives to custody for vulnerable women is putting more lives at risk. The sad reality is that despite this death talking place over four years ago the lessons have not been learned and women like Petra are still being sent to prison where they continue to die." Notes to editors Further information: Petra died on 24 November 2003 following an incident at HMP New Hall on 19 November when she was found in her cell having tied a ligature around her neck. At the time of her death Petra was on remand having been charged with the offence of arson with intent to endanger life. The evidence revealed that the offence with which Petra was charged was an act of self-harm and the only life endangered was her own. Petra had an alarmingly long history of serious attempts at self-harm and had been under the care of the mental health services for many years. She had previously been diagnosed with a personality disorder. Throughout her time in New Hall, Petra was subject to an open F2052SH, the form used to record details of those identified as being at risk of suicide and self-harm. During the 130 days Petra spent in New Hall she was involved in at least 90 incidents of serious self harm, some resulting in hospital admission. While Petra was in the prison, her son was placed for adoption. Witnesses gave evidence that there was a 'blatantly obvious' increase in Petra's pattern of self-harm linked to her son's adoption. A range of concerns have emerged in the evidence heard at the inquest including: The acknowledged unsuitability of prison for someone with Petra's mental health problems. The lack of provision in the community for women who self-harm. Concerns about the role of Derbyshire Social Services in relation both to Petra's own care and the arrangements for the adoption of her son. The collective failure of various authorities to understand the impact of adoption proceedings on Petra's mental health and self-harming. Concerns about the care provided by the Pennine Health Care Trust in not admitting Petra to hospital on the day she committed the offence which led to her remand in custody, despite her specific attempts to seek help. Procedures, staff training and access to resources at HMP New Hall on 19 November 2003.
30 January		INQUEST CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT ON FINDINGS OF HMCIP ANNUAL REPORT
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 30 January 2008 INQUEST CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT ON FINDINGS OF HMCIP ANNUAL REPORT INQUEST today calls on the government to heed the recommendations in HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' annual report 2006-2007 and condemns the government for deliberately following penal policies that have led to the current crisis in the prison system. HMCIP annual report notes a massive 40% increase in self-inflicted deaths in the last year and calls for a Royal Commission or similar substantial public inquiry into the penal system to holistically address its current problems. INQUEST welcomes such a call which we believe is an urgent necessity. INQUEST also welcomes the report's criticisms of the juvenile custodial estate, an area of particular concern in light of the 30 deaths of children in custody in England and Wales since 1990. We urge the government to act on the report's recommendation for 'an overall review of the use and type of youth custody.' Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST, said: "This report is a damning indictment of a prison system which is not fit for purpose as demonstrated by the massive rise in self-inflicted deaths in prison last year. No discussion of self-inflicted deaths in prison can ignore the regimes and conditions operating in prisons, criminal justice policies that imprison the mentally ill and vulnerable, or the institutional culture of violence and racism that exists there. Too many of the inquests we monitor expose systemic failures in the treatment and care of prisoners. Until urgent action is taken by the state to dramatically reduce the prison population the damaging and tragic consequences of imprisonment will continue." Notes to editors Further information: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England & Wales' annual report 2006-2007 INQUEST's statistics of deaths in prison
29 January		INQUEST INTO DEATH OF PETRA BLANKSBY IN HMP NEW HALL EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE ON WEDNESDAY
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 29 January 2008 INQUEST INTO DEATH OF PETRA BLANKSBY IN HMP NEW HALL EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE ON WEDNESDAY 10am 30 January 2008 Sitting before HM Coroner for West Yorkshire (Eastern District), David Hinchliff Wakefield Coroner's Court, 71 Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3BS The coroner's summing up at the inquest into the death of Petra Blanksby in HMP New Hall is expected to take place on Wednesday 30 January. Petra died on 24 November 2003, following an incident at New Hall on 19 November when she was found in her cell having tied a ligature around her neck. At the time of her death Petra was on remand having been charged with the offence of arson with intent to endanger life. The evidence revealed that the offence with which Petra was charged was an act of self-harm and the only life endangered was her own. Petra had an alarmingly long history of serious attempts at self-harm and had been under the care of the mental health services for many years. She had previously been diagnosed with a personality disorder. Throughout her time in New Hall, Petra was subject to an open F2052SH, the form used to record details of those identified as being at risk of suicide and self-harm. During the 130 days Petra spent in New Hall she was involved in at least 90 incidents of serious self-harm, some resulting in hospital admission. While Petra was in the prison, her son was placed for adoption. Witnesses gave evidence that there was a 'blatantly obvious' increase in Petra's pattern of self-harm linked to her son's adoption. A range of concerns have emerged in the evidence heard at the inquest which the family hope will be considered in the jury's verdict, including: The acknowledged unsuitability of prison for someone with Petra's mental health problems. The lack of provision in the community for women who self-harm. Whether there were failings by Derbyshire Social Services in relation both to Petra's own care and the arrangements for the adoption of her son. The collective failure of various authorities to understand the impact of adoption proceedings on Petra's mental health and self-harming. Whether there were failings in the care provided by the Pennine Health Care Trust in not admitting Petra to hospital on the day she committed the offence which led to her remand in custody, despite her specific attempts to seek help. Whether there were failings in procedures, staff training and access to resources at HMP New Hall on 19 November 2003. The family and INQUEST will make a statement at the conclusion of the inquest. Notes to editors: INQUEST is the only non-governmental organisation in England and Wales that works directly with the families of those who die in custody. It provides an independent free legal and advice service to bereaved people on inquest procedures and their rights in the coroner's courts. The coroner has made an order preventing any identification of Petra Blanksby's son.
28 January		LINTON KWESI JOHNSON BBC RADIO 4 FUNDING APPEAL FOR INQUEST
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 28 January 2008 LINTON KWESI JOHNSON BBC RADIO 4 FUNDING APPEAL FOR INQUEST On Sunday 3 February 2008 a BBC Radio 4 Appeal will be broadcast on behalf of INQUEST. The organisation provides a free advice and support service to over 350 bereaved families facing an inquest per year, particularly where their relatives die in contentious circumstances. It provides a unique and expert service for individuals as well as intervention at the parliamentary, media and legal levels following deaths in custody. Internationally-renowned reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson's appeal for INQUEST will be broadcast on Radio 4 (92-95 FM) on Sunday 3 February 2008 at 07.55 and 21.26, and repeated on Thursday 7 February at 15.27. A transcript will be available to read on INQUEST's website and listeners can send money as part of the Appeal as soon it has been transmitted. Donations to support our work can be sent in the post to Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal (please mark the back of the envelope INQUEST), or made online via the BBC Appeal website or by telephone to 0800 404 8144. Every donation can make a real difference so that INQUEST can support more bereaved people. Notes to editors In December 2007 INQUEST was joint winner of the Liberty/JUSTICE Human Rights Award 2007 for organisations and non-legal individuals in recognition of our 'high-quality specialist casework [on deaths in custody] and ... commitment to providing incontrovertible evidence of the serious human rights abuses of children in custody'. The Human Rights Awards are made each year on Human Rights Day. Presenting the Award, Professor Francesca Klug OBE of the LSE Centre for the Study of Human Rights praised INQUEST for 'working with families to build bridges between human emotions and the law'. INQUEST was founded in 1981 following a number of controversial deaths in police and prison custody. Although the scope of the organisation's work has widened since then, its main focus remains death in custody. It is the only charitable organisation in England and Wales that provides an independent, free legal and advice service to bereaved people on inquest procedures and their rights in the coroner's court and the civil courts. It is consulted widely, by government Ministers and Departments, MPs, lawyers, academics, policy makers, the media and the wider public. INQUEST possesses an unrivalled body of knowledge, experience and expertise on issues surrounding contentious deaths and their investigation. Through its casework, INQUEST has a unique overview of how the whole system operates from the perspective of bereaved families and their advisers. It has extracted the policy issues arising from the deaths and their investigation and campaigned with and on behalf of bereaved families and their legal representatives for changes in practice to prevent deaths. Casework also informs our research, parliamentary and policy work.
25 January		INQUEST DISMAYED BY FIRST DEATH OF A WOMAN IN PRISON THIS YEAR
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 25 January 2008 INQUEST DISMAYED BY FIRST DEATH OF A WOMAN IN PRISON THIS YEAR INQUEST notes with sadness the self-inflicted death of 32 year old Lisa Marley in HMP Styal, a prison with a disturbing history of deaths of vulnerable women. Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST said: "We are saddened and dismayed by this death which reminds us of the tragic consequences of criminal justice policies which place vulnerable women into a system which cannot keep them safe. That this death has happened in the prison that prompted Baroness Corston's Review of Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System should prompt the government to fully implement her recommendations. Unless more women are diverted from prison the increase in self inflicted deaths and the associated high levels of self-harm, mental distress and family disruption will continue". Notes to editors: 1. Since 2000 11 women have died in Styal prison. The inquests held into many of these deaths have raised serious concerns about the quality of treatment and care afforded women in Styal and the inappropriateness of prison for many of the women held there. 2. The Corston Review was published in March 2007. The Government responded to the review in November 2007 and has failed to allocate any resources to its implementation. 3. After a fortnight of evidence, the inquest into the death of 19 year old Petra Blanksby in HMP New Hall in November 2003 is due to conclude in Wakefield Coroner's Court in the middle of next week. The inquest has heard disturbing evidence about the treatment and care of a young woman with a long history of self-harm and mental health problems.
25 January		INQUEST CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR 'SECRET' DEATH IN CUSTODY INQUESTS
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 25 January 2008 INQUEST CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR 'SECRET' DEATH IN CUSTODY INQUESTS INQUEST today condemned government proposals in the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2008 which give unprecedented powers to the Secretary of State to intervene in death in custody inquests where issues of state intelligence are involved. Clause 64 of the Bill gives the Secretary of State extraordinary powers to issue certificates at his or her discretion to hold 'secret' inquests, without juries, in any case in which the Secretary of State believes that material will be revealed contrary to the public interest. The discretion given to the Secretary of State is broad and is to include reasons of national security, international relations or any other public interest. In these circumstances it is proposed inquests are to be conducted at least partly in private, with government vetted coroners and government vetted counsel overseeing the 'sensitive material'. This would exclude bereaved families and their legal representatives - as well as the public at large - from the process. INQUEST has written today to Bridget Prentice MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State responsible for coroners to express its extreme concern that this measure has been introduced without any consultation. This is despite the organisation and members of its Lawyers Group being in regular and ongoing dialogue with Ministers and officials about the operation of the inquest system and other proposed reforms. The family of Azelle Rodney, shot seven times by police in a pre-planned surveillance operation in April 2005, have already been told that their case will be subject to the new measures. Daniel Machover, solicitor for Susan Alexander, Azelle Rodney's mother said: "These proposals mean that Ministers and those responsible for intelligence gathering will never be held properly to account for the validity of their tactics. It is a fiasco, bearing no resemblance to a fair system of justice. Presented with the problem of what to do with sensitive material that is relevant to the circumstances of how and why a person was killed by a state agent, the government proposes to remove the vital democratic accountable layer of a jury and hide away from the bereaved family crucial evidence about the death. My client, Susan Alexander, is very distressed that having expected a new law which would finally enable her to see and question the key evidence that led to the police shooting of her son, she will end up being worse off than before." Helen Shaw, co-director of INQUEST said: "We have serious concerns about these far reaching proposals which have been introduced without consultation and have wide reaching consequences. The public will find it difficult to have confidence that these coroner-only inquests, with key evidence being suppressed, can investigate contentious deaths involving state agents independently." Notes to editors: 1. The Counter Terrorism Bill 2008 received its first reading in the House of Commons on 24 January 2008. 2. The proposals contained in Clauses 64-67 of the Bill regarding inquests arose from legal challenges bought on behalf of the family of Azelle Rodney over admissibility of intelligence evidence.
9 January		INQUEST OPENS INTO DEATH OF 19 YEAR OLD WOMAN IN PRISON
show here INQUEST PRESS RELEASE 9 January 2008 INQUEST OPENS INTO DEATH OF 19 YEAR OLD WOMAN IN PRISON 10.00am Monday 14 January 2008 Sitting before HM Coroner for West Yorkshire (Eastern District), David Hinchliff Wakefield Coroner's Court, 71 Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3BS The inquest into the death of 19 year old Petra Blanksby opens on 14 January 2008 and is expected to last for two weeks. Petra died on 24 November 2003, following an incident at HMP New Hall on 19 November when she was found in her cell having tied a ligature around her neck. At the time of her death Petra was on remand having been charged with the offence of arson with intent to endanger life. The offence with which Petra was charged took place at her own home and it is believed that the fire was an act of self-harm and the only life endangered was her own. Petra had an alarmingly long history of serious attempts at self-harm and had been under the care of the mental health services for many years. She had previously been diagnosed with a personality disorder. Throughout her time in HMP New Hall, Petra was subject to an open F2052SH (identified as being at risk of suicide and self harm). During the 130 days Petra spent in HMP New Hall she was involved in at least 90 incidents of serious self harm, some resulting in hospital admission. Petra, like many of the women at New Hall, had a long history of self harm and mental health difficulties. In her introductory remark to her 2003 inspection report on New Hall prison, Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said 'New Hall is holding women and girls who should not be there' and 'there is an urgent need to provide alternative therapeutic environments where appropriate treatment and support can be offered'. Deborah Coles, Co-director of INQUEST, said: "This inquest must explore the key question as to why a woman with such severe mental health problems and at such risk of suicide was sent to prison in the first place. Delay in this inquest taking place has caused great distress to the family as well as frustrating the opportunity to learn lessons." Peter Blanksby, Petra's father, commented: "The delay has been really difficult. It's disgusting that we have had to wait all this time. We need to know why my daughter was sent to prison when she had so many problems and why they couldn't take care of her when she was there." The family is being represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Jo Kearsley of Farleys Solicitors, Burnley and barrister Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers.