13th April 2012

The inquest into the death of Daniel Leather is due to commence on Monday 16th April 2012, at Court 6, Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square,  Manchester M3 3FL, before HM Coroner for the city of Manchester, Nigel Meadows.

Daniel was 23 years old when he died on 19th December 2009, after being found hanging in his cell at HMP Manchester. Daniel was recalled to HMP Manchester on the 5th September 2009.  He was placed on an ACCT document as it was considered he may self harm and was at first closely monitored.

Daniel’s family hope that the inquest will answer the following questions;

*        Whether Daniel was adequately assessed by mental health professionals within the prison;

*        Whether Daniel was properly managed by mental health services and the prison staff.

*        Why the prison appeared to refuse to acknowledge Daniels deteriorating mental health and instead treated him a manipulative and disruptive prisoner.

*        Why observations were not increased when his TV was removed from his cell on the 17th December despite the fact that it was down on his ACCT as a trigger event.

The family are being represented at the inquest by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Gemma Vine of Farleys Solicitors LLP and Andrew Bridgman of St Johns Buildings Chambers.

INQUEST has grave concerns about the high numbers of self-inflicted deaths and levels of self harm at HMP Manchester which have led to wide ranging recommendations from both the Prison and Probation Ombudsman and HM Coroner Nigel Meadows.  INQUEST has been involved with many of the deaths that have occurred there in recent years and recently called for an urgent review of practice at the prison.  More information here

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