Holding inquests in secret: that’ll shut everybody up
originally published: 25th February 2009
Secret inquests, held without a jury. Is this an idea whose time has come? The Public Bill Committee is going through the text of the Coroners and Justice Bill.
The proposal is this. The state is involved in the death of someone – in police cells, in prison, in a shooting incident, on the battlefield in Afghanistan – and the minister decides to hold the inquest beyond the public gaze.
Is that odd, at all? There are usually juries in these sorts of matters. Ordinary people have been sitting in judgment for centuries. Too long, some think. Yes, true: it’s against the spirit of the times. Ordinary people have no expert knowledge of the sensitivities involved. And our intelligence relationships with foreign countries demand great sensitivity. Also, the safety of our police is paramount – it’s the first duty of officers these days to protect the safety of themselves. And, of course, national security. That shuts everyone up.
Campaigners slam Styal after report
originally published: 27th February 2009
A leading campaign group has said ‘another preventable death is inevitable’ at Styal prison unless bosses recognise the seriousness of their failings. The warning from charity group INQUEST comes after a National Offender Management Programme report said the Cheshire prison fails to meet the needs of its most vulnerable inmates.
The Keller Unit, which houses the most challenging and mentally-ill women, is criticised for using excessive force and making inmates strip as part of the prison’s care plan. Other areas of concern highlighted included: the lack of training, support and leadership; high levels of self-harm and drug use; and inadequate action plans.
Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST said Styal continues to give ’serious cause for concern’. She said: “How often does it need to be demonstrated that this prison cannot provide a safe environment for some of the most damaged women in society who quite frankly should not be in prison at all? “What is needed is a fundamental rethink, not only about Styal but in the whole approach to women who offend, and the provision of alternatives to custody.
