Since the office took on the role of investigating deaths in custody, nine investigation reports have been submitted to the Prison Service containing a total of 144 recommendations. Developing action plans for, and taking forward implementation of, all these recommendations represents a significant amount of work for the Prison Service. The Prison Service has recently put in place new processes to help it implement agreed actions. We will continue to seek updates on implementation of the recommendations at least every six months.
As at the end of October 2009, a further four draft reports have been submitted to the Prison Service for factual accuracy checking. It is hoped the final reports into these investigations will be published in the coming months. The Office continues to investigate the remaining eight Deaths in Custody and hopes to finalise four of these cases before the end of the year.
Investigations into more recent deaths will continue into 2010.
In all our death in custody investigations care and attention is paid, among other things, to:
- delivering a professional investigation
- identifying any learning points for the Prison Service
- answering family concerns and liaising with the family
- meeting the needs of the coroner
