28 October 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

200 deaths of imprisoned young people in ten years

originally by: Prison Reform Trust
published: 24 October 2012

A new evidence based report examining the experiences and treatment of children and young people who died in prison custody in England and Wales is published by INQUEST and the Prison Reform Trust today. Fatally Flawed: Has the state learned lessons from the deaths of children and young people in prison? is an in-depth analysis of the deaths of children and young people (aged 18-24) while in the care of the state.

Following the death of Joseph Scholes, a 16 year old boy who died at Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution in 2002, there was widespread public and parliamentary concern and calls made for a public inquiry.

4 October 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

New report calls for more effective learning from death in custody inquests

provided by: INQUEST
published: 1 October 2012

A week after the appointment of the Chief Coroner, HHJ Peter Thornton, and at a time of renewed interest in the coronial system following the publication of the report of the Hillsborough panel, INQUEST launches a groundbreaking new report ‘Learning from Death in Custody Inquests: A New Framework for Action and Accountability’. The report highlights the serious flaws in the learning process following an inquest into a death in custody or following contact with state agents.

In the report INQUEST’s co-directors Deborah Coles and Helen Shaw argue that the absence of a mechanism to capture and act upon the rich seam of data available from well conducted and costly inquests leads to unnecessary further loss of life.

11 July 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

INQUEST response to IPCC contact deaths statistics

originally by: INQUEST
published: 9 July 2012

INQUEST response to IPCC statistics on deaths during or following police contact 2011/12

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has published its statistics for deaths during or following contact with the police occurring between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012.

In response, Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST said:

“The figures reveal a disturbing number of people who despite being clearly vulnerable or in distress have been taken into police custody rather than to a hospital or specialist mental health unit. This reflects INQUEST’s ongoing concerns about the way people with mental health issues are dealt with by the police, many of which are being scrutinised currently at the inquest into the death of Sean Rigg.