Independent chair appointed to prison self-harm investigation
04 March 2009
Barbara Stow, former Assistant Prisons Ombudsman has been commissioned to undertake an independent Article 2 European Convention on Human Rights compliant investigation into the case of SP.
It will look at how SP, a prolific self-harmer, was cared for and treated during her time in Prison Service custody.
The evidence gathering stage of the investigation is due to be completed in August 2009. This will be followed by a public hearing which is anticipated to take place in spring 2010.
Barbara Stow said:
'I feel privileged to have been asked to conduct this important investigation which I hope will shine a light on the plight of SP whilst in prison, the care afforded to her and the difficulties faced by the staff who cared for her.'
The National Offender Management Service will consider the investigation report to see what lessons can be learned from SP's case to help reduce similar incidents in the future.
Notes for editors
1. SP was a prisoner in the women's prison estate during 2003 to 2005. She is now detained at a secure hospital. She was a prolific self-harmer and repeatedly self-harmed to the extent that she sustained life-threatening injuries. She was subsequently sectioned to a secure hospital where she remains.
2. In November 2006 the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman was commissioned by the Secretary of State to undertake an independent investigation in the case of SP. In June 2008 the PPO withdrew from the SP investigation.
3. The investigation was subsequently recommissioned on 9 October 2008 but was suspended, by order of the court, pending Judicial Review proceeding brought against the Ministry of Justice by SP's representatives. Following the judgment of the court the investigation was recommissioned with Barbara Stow as the investigator on 13 February 2009.
4. Barbara Stow was an Assistant Prisons Ombudsman from 1998 to 2005, managing investigations of prisoners' complaints and deaths in prison. She is a former Chair of the Legal Action Group, an educational charity promoting access to justice. Ms Stow has worked with the Local Government Ombudsman and the Citizens Advice Bureau service and is independent complaints reviewer for various public bodies. She has a masters degree in prison studies from the University of Cambridge and has conducted research on justice in prisons.
5. Contact details for investigation: email
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