At the start of the year, the Ministry of Justice released figures stating that ‘self-inflicted’ deaths in prisons had reduced in 2008. The explanation was that it was due to better training, better information sharing and guidance on self harm.
Alison Colk was found hanging in her cell on the 8th January 2009. Alison is the first woman to die in prison this year so far. She died one day into her sentence at Styal Prison, which was for 28 days!!!!
As Deborah Coles from Inquest rightly argues what possible justification is there for sentencing someone for 28 days.
Around this time last year, Lisa Marley was found hanging in her cell at Styal. She was on remand. Her inquest is still to take place.
Since 2000, there have been 12 self-inflicted deaths in Styal (Pauline Campbell’s daughter Sarah died there in 2003). Shouldn’t there be a public enquiry into the functioning of Styal, frankly I’d like to see the place shut-down? Or will there be just the usual excuses and cover-ups?
One woman I knew who was in Styal during the 1980s described it, simply, as a ‘hell hole’ and things haven’t changed. The endless inquest narrative verdicts that are usually highly critical of the ‘care’ given by Styal and promises of improvements. Another woman is dead. A death that could have and should have been prevented.
During the past 10 years, 905 people have died of self-inflicted deaths . And 2008 was a year where the prison population had reached appalling levels.
It is a shameful indictment of this government. NL ever ready to be ’tough on crime’ with its ultra punitive criminal justice system. Pathetic and senseless sentences handed down for 28 days! Vulnerable, powerless and distressed people banged up in places what can only be described as social dustbins where death is the only escape for some.
I am angry, bloody angry, that another woman has died. A senseless, tragic and needless death in the so-called ‘care’ of the state…….
