9th December 2016

Before HM Coroner Andrew Haigh
South Staffordshire Coroners Court,
Staffordshire County Council Chamber - County Buildings,
Martin Street, Stafford ST16 2LH

Inquest opens: Monday 12 December, 10am start

Josh Collinson was 18 years old when he was found hanged in his cell at HMPYOI Swinfen Hall on 3 September 2015. He had been transferred from HMPYOI Parc the previous day.

Josh had a known prior history of mental ill health, and incidents of self-harm in custody. At school he was diagnosed with ADHD and borderline autism. Whilst in custody, Josh was recognised as a vulnerable child and, after turning 18, as a vulnerable adult.

Josh’s family hope that the inquest will provide them with answers over the level of care and protection available to Josh at HYMPOI Swinfen Hall and HMPYOI Parc.

INQUEST has been working with the family of Josh Collinson since September 2015. The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Mark Scott and Miri Weingarten from Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Sam Jacobs from Doughty Street Chambers.

ends

 

Notes to editors

Please note that the family of Josh Collinson will not be making any further statements until the conclusion of the inquest.

For further information, please contact: Shona Crallan at [email protected] or
Gill Goodby at [email protected] or 020 7263 1111.

INQUEST provides specialist advice on deaths in custody or detention or involving state failures in England and Wales. This includes a death in prison, in police custody or following police contact, in immigration detention or psychiatric care. INQUEST's policy and parliamentary work is informed by its casework and we work to ensure that the collective experiences of bereaved people underpin that work. Its overall aim is to secure an investigative process that treats bereaved families with dignity and respect; ensures accountability and disseminates the lessons learned from the investigation process in order to prevent further deaths.

Please refer to INQUEST the organisation in all capital letters in order to distinguish it from the legal hearing.