Inquest into the death of Louise Davies at HMP New Hall  

> UPDATE 8/12/06 Inquest questions appropriateness of prison for vulnerable women .

Louise Davies died in the segregation unit of the prison on 18 April 2004 aged 32. She had a long history of mental health problems and was a prolific self harmer. At the time of her death Louise was the subject of the prison’s suicide watch procedures because of the high and immediate risk she posed to herself. Two days before she died, Louise was twice discovered with ligatures around her neck. On the day of her death officers spoke to Louise after an apparent suicide note was found outside her cell door. However, only 28 minutes later she was found unconscious with a ligature around her neck, and despite attempts to resuscitate her she was pronounced dead at 7.45pm.

Louise’s family have a number of concerns which they hope the inquest will examine. They are:

• The appropriateness of housing Louise in a prison and what alternative forms of custody were available to the courts;
• why such a vulnerable woman was being held in the segregation unit and the effects such a location had on her mental health;
• why her vulnerability increased dramatically after she was moved from HMP Bullwood Hall three weeks before she died;
• how officers responded to Louise’s numerous self-harm and suicide attempts and whether their responses were in accordance with prison policy.

The family are being represented by barrister Mark George from Garden Court North Chambers, Manchester, instructed by INQUEST Lawyer’s Group member Fiona Borril of Lester Morrill Solicitors , Leeds.

> click here for full press release on INQUEST website.

For more information on INQUEST go to www.inquest.org.uk

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Quick links

> Other inquest news stories

> Louise's story puts prison suicide in spotlight - The Observer, 08/08/2004