Kellie Hutchinson inquest
10/09/2008
A Rule 43 recommendation was made last week by the coroner at the inquest into the death of Kellie Hutchinson at HMP New Hall .
The inquest touching the death of Kellie Hutchinson took place at Leeds Coroner's Court in the week beginning 1st September 2008.
Kellie Hutchinson died at HMP New Hall having been found hanging in a shared dormitory in the early hours of the morning of 1st May 2006.
Evidence was heard over three days and at the conclusion of the inquest the jury returned a narrative verdict finding that whilst Kellie had hanged herself by a ligature fastened to pipework in the toilet area of the dormitory that she shared with three other women, they could not be sure that Kellie had intended to end her own life.
Whilst finding that there was no indication of the potential for Kellie to self-harm the jury also noted their concern that overhead pipework was exposed.
Upon consideration of the verdict and of the evidence heard, Her Majesty's Coroner Mr Hinchliff exercised his power under Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules.
He stated that he would be writing to the Director General for prisons recommending that the Prison Service undertake survey work in the older cells at HMP New Hall and to consider in particular the feasibility of boxing in pipework in order to reduce the number of ligature points.
The family were represented INQUEST Lawyers group members barrister John Hobson from Garden Court North Chambers and Fiona Borrill of Lester Morrill Solicitors .
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Quick links
> Casenote "Coroner makes rule 43 recommendations on removing ligature points" by John Hobson published in INQUEST LAW April 2009 (p29)
> 2/5/06 Kellie Hutchinson death (Inquest press release)
> For more information on INQUEST go to www.inquest.org.uk
