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Teenage boy found dead in prison cell Teenage boy found dead in prison cell
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A 15-year-old boy has been found dead at a prison where staff shortages, violence and use of force were highlighted in a recent inspection.A 15-year-old boy has been found dead at a prison where staff shortages, violence and use of force were highlighted in a recent inspection.
The boy, who has not been named, was found in his cell by staff at Cookham Wood prison in Kent on Saturday morning. The prison houses young males aged 15-18 who on remand or have been sentenced. The boy, who has not been named, was found in his cell by staff at Cookham Wood prison in Kent on Saturday morning. The prison houses young males aged 15-18 who are on remand or have been sentenced.
The Ministry of Justice said: “A Cookham Wood young offender was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 6.40am on Saturday 4 July. Staff attempted resuscitation and paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at approximately 8am. His next of kin have been informed.The Ministry of Justice said: “A Cookham Wood young offender was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 6.40am on Saturday 4 July. Staff attempted resuscitation and paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at approximately 8am. His next of kin have been informed.
“Every death in custody is a tragedy and we always seek to improve our procedures for caring for prisoners, including young offenders, where possible. As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the independent prisons and probation ombudsman. Additionally, as he was under the age of 18, there will be a serious case review commissioned by the local safeguarding board.”“Every death in custody is a tragedy and we always seek to improve our procedures for caring for prisoners, including young offenders, where possible. As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the independent prisons and probation ombudsman. Additionally, as he was under the age of 18, there will be a serious case review commissioned by the local safeguarding board.”
An inquiry published last week into suicides among 18- to 24-year olds in prison said staff shortages had contributed to the rate of deaths. The report, by the Labour peer Lord Harris, made 108 recommendations, including a requirement that young adults spent eight hours a day outside their cells, and said prison should be a last resort for young people. The youth justice board said: “On Saturday the youth justice board was informed of a death in custody at Cookham Wood YOI. The cause of death will be formally determined by inquest but, at the present time, we have no indication that the young person took their own life or that the circumstances were suspicious.
Harris said understaffing had clearly been a contributory factor in many of the deaths and it would be of enormous concern if current resource levels were cut back. “We offer our condolences to the family for their tragic loss. The relevant agencies are already undertaking inquiries into the circumstances and cause of death, and we want to ensure that any findings are acted on as they arise.”
The findings of an inquiry published last week into the suicides of 18- to 24-year-olds in prison said staff shortages had been a contributory factor. The report, by the Labour peer Lord Harris, made 108 recommendations, including a requirement that young adults spent eight hours a day outside their cells, and said prison should be a last resort for young people.
Harris said understaffing had clearly contributed to many of the deaths and it would be of enormous concern if current resource levels were cut back.
The most recent published inspection of Cookham Wood, in June last year by the chief inspector of prisons, found debilitating staff shortages and significant challenges in recruiting staff, and a deterioration in safety.The most recent published inspection of Cookham Wood, in June last year by the chief inspector of prisons, found debilitating staff shortages and significant challenges in recruiting staff, and a deterioration in safety.
Violent incidents were high and rising, the report said, and programmes to tackle violence had lapsed. During one lockdown, 30 weapons were discovered hidden in cells. The number of violent incidents were high and rising, the report said, and programmes to tackle violence had lapsed. During one lockdown, 30 weapons were discovered hidden in cells.
Deborah Coles from Inquest said the death of a child in the care of the state was deeply concerning. “There must be a robust inquiry into what happened, not least because it was in a prison that has only recently been criticised over concerns about safety,” she said.