Family waits seven years for answers over the death of Leon Briggs

all credits: ITV News
published: 13 January 2021

A family’s seven year wait for answers over the death of Leon Briggs after being taken into police custody has started at an inquest in Milton Keynes.

The 39-year-old father of two was detained at Luton police station in 2013. He was later found unconscious in his cell and taken to hospital where he died.

Opening the inquest in Milton Keynes, coroner Emma Whitting said no family should have to wait the length of time Leon Briggs’ family has, to learn how their loved-one died.

27 September 2020 4WardEverUK

The prevalence of mental illness in refugees and asylum seekers

source: PLOS Medicine
published: 21 September 2020

Background:
Globally, the number of refugees and asylum seekers has reached record highs. Past research in refugee mental health has reported wide variation in mental illness prevalence data, partially attributable to methodological limitations. This systematic review aims to summarise the current body of evidence for the prevalence of mental illness in global refugee populations and overcome methodological limitations of individual studies.

Methods and findings:
A comprehensive search of electronic databases was undertaken from 1 January 2003 to 4 February 2020 (MEDLINE In-Process, EBM Reviews, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PILOTS, Web of Science). Quantitative studies were included if diagnosis of mental illness involved a clinical interview and use of a validated assessment measure and reported at least 50 participants.

27 October 20194 August 2020 4WardEverUK

Police disciplinary hearings dropped over Thomas Orchard death

source: The Guardian
published: 24 October 2019

The family of a church caretaker with mental health problems who died after being restrained at a police station have expressed anger after disciplinary proceedings against two detention officers were dropped.

Thomas Orchard, 32, died after a heavy webbing belt was placed across his face while he was being restrained in Exeter following a public order incident in 2012.

On Thursday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) told the Orchard family it had reversed a decision to direct that gross misconduct hearings should take place against the two civilian officers.

Continue reading