22nd February 2012

Following the latest report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons into HMP Manchester which criticised the high level of self-harm and self-inflicted deaths there, INQUEST has called for an urgent review of practice at the prison.

Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST, said:

We remain seriously concerned about the high level of self-inflicted deaths and self-harm among prisoners in Manchester. It is only February and there have already been two self-inflicted deaths this year, bringing the total to 29 since 2000.

INQUEST has been involved with many of the deaths that have occurred there in recent years and there have been wide ranging recommendations from both the Prison and Probation Ombudsman and HM Coroner Nigel Meadows. In light of these further concerns raised by HM Inspectorate of Prisons there needs to be an urgent review of what action has been taken in response to investigation and inquest findings, as it appears measures are still not in place to protect the most vulnerable individuals.