UK: Suicides and deaths in prison
01 August 2001
The Howard League has called for action to bring about a reduction in deaths and injuries in court cells and prison vans. Three hundred and seventy six people harmed themselves in cells and escort vehicles in 2000. The Howard League wants the Prison Service to take responsibility for conditions in court cells and has demanded a review of prisoner escort services, which were privatised in 1993. There have been eight suicides in court cells since the escort service was contracted out. Twenty eight per cent of suicides take place within a week of reception into prison.
A second inquest into the suicide of 22-year old Keita Craig, found hanged at Wandsworth prison in February 2000 has ruled that the prison's neglect contributed to his death. The second inquest was ordered by the High Court after legal action by Mr Craig's family to have the question of whether neglect or lack of care contributed to Keita's death considered by the inquest jury. As at the first inquest, the jury at Westminster Coroner's Court ruled that Mr Craig, a paranoid schizophrenic, killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed, but added that the cause of death was contributed to by neglect. Staff in the prison had been told on at least five occasions by Mr Craig's family that he was at risk. Warders at Richmond Magistrates Court, where he was tried for robbery, removed his shoelaces, believing he might seek to harm himself, but staff at Wandsworth returned them to him. He subsequently hanged himself by his shoelaces. Mr Craig was in a single cell on the hospital wing, waiting for a place in a psychiatric unit, but was not placed on suicide watch. The family have said that they intend to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
A public inquiry, chaired by a retired academic, John Davies, is to be held into the death on 7 November 1996 at HMP Armley of Paul Wright, who suffered a fatal asthma attack. During the hearing into his death in June this year, Mr Justice Jackson said that the standard of treatment given to him could arguably be considered "inhumane". He added that Wright - who was kept locked in his cell without appropriate medication and no key kept nearby to unlock the cell in case of emergency - had received "inappropriate medical treatment" and that the jail's failings amounted to a breach of his Article 3 rights.
Howard League; Guardian 2 & 12.10.01.