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Woman serving eight-week prison sentence found dead in her cell Woman serving eight-week prison sentence found dead in her cell
(35 minutes later)
A woman who was serving an eight-week prison sentence for shoplifting has been found dead in her cell.A woman who was serving an eight-week prison sentence for shoplifting has been found dead in her cell.
Anna Graven, 41, was found at Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire. Paramedics tried to revive her but she was pronounced dead a short time later.Anna Graven, 41, was found at Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire. Paramedics tried to revive her but she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Deborah Coles from campaign group Inquest said the death was deeply shocking. “It is a really alarming case and we have to question why women are still being locked up for non-violent crimes when they could be successfully accommodated in the community,” she said.Deborah Coles from campaign group Inquest said the death was deeply shocking. “It is a really alarming case and we have to question why women are still being locked up for non-violent crimes when they could be successfully accommodated in the community,” she said.
Over the past decade a series of inquiries and reports have concluded that prison is rarely a necessary, appropriate or proportionate response to women caught up in the criminal justice system.Over the past decade a series of inquiries and reports have concluded that prison is rarely a necessary, appropriate or proportionate response to women caught up in the criminal justice system.
The justice select committee inquiry into women offenders in 2014 concluded that “prison is an expensive and ineffective way of dealing with many women offenders who do not pose a significant risk of harm to public safety” and called for “a significant increase in residential alternatives to custody as well as the maintenance of the network of women’s centres” seen as “more effective, and cheaper ... than short custodial sentences”.The justice select committee inquiry into women offenders in 2014 concluded that “prison is an expensive and ineffective way of dealing with many women offenders who do not pose a significant risk of harm to public safety” and called for “a significant increase in residential alternatives to custody as well as the maintenance of the network of women’s centres” seen as “more effective, and cheaper ... than short custodial sentences”.
In 2007 a report by Jean Corston called for women who do not pose a risk to the public to be kept out of prison. She said the more serious offenders should be kept in small custodial units, with the majority kept in a larger network of support and supervision centres in the community. Coles said: “It seems little has been learned in the intervening years.”In 2007 a report by Jean Corston called for women who do not pose a risk to the public to be kept out of prison. She said the more serious offenders should be kept in small custodial units, with the majority kept in a larger network of support and supervision centres in the community. Coles said: “It seems little has been learned in the intervening years.”
On Friday a prison service spokesperson said: “HMP Foston Hall prisoner Anna Graven was found unresponsive in her cell at about 6.30am on Sunday 9 August. Staff attempted CPR and paramedics were called but she was pronounced dead shortly after. As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent prisons and probation ombudsman.” On Friday a Prison Service spokesperson said: “HMP Foston Hall prisoner Anna Graven was found unresponsive in her cell at about 6.30am on Sunday 9 August. Staff attempted CPR and paramedics were called but she was pronounced dead shortly after. As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent prisons and probation ombudsman.”