Ruling may spark inquiry into suicides

The cases of hundreds of prisoners who have attempted suicide in
custody could be investigated, following a High Court judgement
last week.

Mr Justice Munby ordered a public inquiry into why staff did not
monitor a vulnerable prisoner, known as D, who later attempted
suicide and was left with “permanent and irreversible” brain damage
at HMP Pentonville in December 2001.

He ruled the prison service’s procedures for internal reviews of
attempted suicides did not comply with its legal duty to protect
life in regard to Article 2 of the European Convention on Human
Rights.

While it was known that D was at risk of self-harm and suicide, he
was discovered “too late” to save him from injury after he
attempted to hang himself, the court heard.