Highly critical verdict in Rebecca Turner inquest  

Rebecca, a mother of two young children, was found hanging in her cell on the Induction Wing at HMP Low Newton on 28 July 2004. She died within two days of arriving at the prison. Rebecca had a history of heroin use but at the time of being sentenced was on a methadone treatment programme.

In their narrative verdict, the jury found that a number of issues relating to Rebecca's arrival
and short stay at HMP Low Newton had a negative effect on her already fragile state of
mind. They found that Rebecca was dealt with inappropriately in the prison and that this
contributed to her death in a significant way, summarised as follows:

• Upon arriving at HMP Low Newton, insufficient action was taken to establish an
  accurate picture of Rebecca's recent drug intake and an immediate and effective
  programme of drug detoxification was not begun. The jury specifically noted that
  despite having no information about Rebecca's methadone treatment programme on
  the outside, the prison failed to contact the agency with responsibility for this
  programme. They also found a failure of any significant action having been taken in
  response to the note received by the Governor of Low Newton from the Director
  General of Prisons, Phil Wheatley, raising concerns expressed to him by nurses from
  Low Newton's healthcare unit that the standard of the detoxification offered by
  prison doctors was very poor and potentially life threatening;
  
• A decision was made to segregate Rebecca due to threats to her safety from another
  woman prisoner. The jury found that this decision was not correct. Insufficient
  consideration was given to the problem of potential risks to Rebecca's safety from
  other prisoners and Rebecca's own concerns were underestimated;
  
• Guidance published on suicide prevention strategies and suicide and self harm
  prevention was not followed.
  

This verdict comes two days after the release of the Prison Inspectorate report into their
unannounced full follow-up inspection of HMP and YOI Styal, which identified previously
noted systemic failings. Another woman, Valerie Hayes, died in Styal prison on 10 May
2006.

The family was represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members barrister Nick Stanage from Garden Court Chambers, Manchester, instructed by Fiona Borrill of Lester Morrill Solicitors , Leeds.

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