Coroner’s Warnings About Future Prison Deaths Ignored by Officials
The Ministry of Justice faces backlash for ignoring coroner warnings on prison deaths and mental health issues among inmates
London, UK, Prison Deaths, Mental Health, Coroner Reports
London: The Ministry of Justice is in hot water after ignoring multiple warnings from coroners about deaths in prison. This includes serious concerns raised after two inmates died at Wandsworth Prison.
Coroners pointed out issues like mental health care for inmates and the need for better first aid training for staff. They also highlighted the lack of support for prisoners once they’re released.
In 2024 alone, 12 reports from coroners, known as Prevention of Future Deaths reports, went unanswered. These reports are supposed to prompt action within 56 days, but it seems the officials dropped the ball.
A spokesperson for the Prisons and Probation Service said they take these reports seriously and apologized for the delays. They acknowledged that the issues raised can be complex.
Wandsworth Prison has been under scrutiny for a while now, especially after a series of scandals, including a guard being jailed for inappropriate conduct with an inmate. The prison has been flagged for poor living conditions and rampant drug use.
Coroner Priya Malhotra raised alarms about the deaths of two inmates, Daniel Beckford and Yuri Hatton. Beckford tragically took an overdose while on remand, and Hatton was found unresponsive in his cell, with staff failing to provide adequate care.
In both cases, the coroner pointed out that guards, who are often the first responders, lacked proper first aid training. The Ministry of Justice claimed they only received the reports months later, which is concerning.
Another case involved Christopher MacGillivray, who was placed on suicide watch but was released on bail without proper safety checks. Sadly, he was found dead just two days later.
Matthew Braben also died by suicide, and his family had raised concerns about his care, which went unaddressed. The Ministry is now looking into why there was no response to the coroner’s concerns in his case.
Sean Davies, who had been locked up for years, took his own life in 2023, leaving a note about the struggles he faced in the system. The coroner called for a response regarding the risks of the IPP system.
Another tragic case was Darren Docherty, who died by suicide shortly after being released from prison with no support or housing. His history of mental health issues was overlooked, leading to a heartbreaking outcome.
Coroners often send these reports to various government departments and agencies, but they can’t force anyone to act. It’s frustrating to see so many concerns go unanswered, especially when lives are at stake.
In 2024, several organizations, including mental health trusts and safety agencies, also failed to respond to coroner concerns, raising serious questions about accountability.