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Ombudsman quits prisoner inquiry | Ombudsman quits prisoner inquiry |
(10 minutes later) | |
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has quit an inquiry into the treatment of a teenage prisoner, blaming the Prison Service for unacceptable restrictions. | The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has quit an inquiry into the treatment of a teenage prisoner, blaming the Prison Service for unacceptable restrictions. |
Stephen Shaw was the chairman of a public inquiry into the treatment of a 17-year-old girl, known as SP. | |
Mr Shaw said the Prison Service was trying to "dictate" how the investigation should be conducted. | Mr Shaw said the Prison Service was trying to "dictate" how the investigation should be conducted. |
SP had severe mental health problems and a history of neglect and abuse, and was held in isolation for months. | SP had severe mental health problems and a history of neglect and abuse, and was held in isolation for months. |
Mr Shaw, the prisons ombudsman for England and Wales, is independent of both the Prison Service and the National Probation Service. | |
He was investigating the circumstances of SP's self-harm. | |
We regret the inevitable further delay this causes for SP and her family and any distress that this may cause Maria EaglePrisons Minister | |
In his resignation letter to the Prison Service, Mr Shaw wrote: "I have been saddened by what I regard as the Prison Service's inconsistent approach to this inquiry, by the attempt to dictate how I should conduct the investigation, and by the lack of focus on the core issue: life-threatening self-harm amongst so many young women prisoners. | |
In particular, he said two letters concerning the case "constitute an unwarranted and unacceptable attempt to fetter my independence and to restrict the way I carry out the inquiry." | |
According to the Howard League for Penal Reform, SP was placed on suicide watch due to persistent self-harm and held in solitary confinement for several months. | |
The Howard League said that while on solitary confinement SP was often locked in her cell for 22 hours a day, eating meals on her own and taking her only exercise in a metal cage. | |
SP's self-harm was so serious whilst in prison that she had to be taken to hospital for blood transfusions. | |
The ombudsman is appointed by the Home Secretary and investigates complaints from prisoners and those subject to probation supervision, or those upon whom reports have been written. | |
Inquiry delays | |
Prisons Minister Maria Eagle said she regretted Mr Shaw's resignation, which was received on 19 June. | |
"We also regret the inevitable further delay this causes for SP and her family and any distress that this may cause." | |
She added: "Before responding we will consider carefully the points he has made and the next steps in light of his decision not to continue with the investigation." | |
Describing the inquiry as a "new type of investigation", she said "we will be considering urgently how to restart the process in the most effective and appropriate way in the interests of all concerned." |