Inquest Update 2009

An Inquest is set to commence
Press Release provided by INQUEST.

10am Tuesday 6 January 2009
Sitting before HM Assistant Deputy Coroner for Northamptonshire, Tom Osbourne Rushden and Diamond Conference Centre, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5QF

The inquest into the death of 23 year old Michael Bailey opens on 6 January 2009. The hearing is expected to last for six weeks.

Michael Bailey was found hanging in the segregation unit at HMP Rye Hill on 24 March 2005. His death was one of three controversial deaths at the privately-run prison in a fifteen month time period. In the month following the death, Rye Hill was heavily criticised by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons who found that “the prison had deteriorated to the extent that we considered that it was at that time an unsafe and unstable environment, both for prisoners and staff.”

Michael Bailey was sent to the segregation unit on 18 March 2005. He had previously been considered an outgoing person without any signs of mental illness. However, in the days prior to his death he suddenly began to exhibit severe symptoms of psychosis and talked openly of suicide. On 24 March, Michael hanged himself using a shoelace from the door of his cell.

His family hopes the inquest will examine:

• Whether staff were influenced by the fact that Michael was black and treated him as a dangerous person, rather than as a person who was seriously ill.
• Why Michael did not have a proper medical assessment and was not transferred to a health care facility.
• Why someone in Michael’s condition was kept in segregation.
• Whether the checks required under the suicide risk regime were carried out by staff and whether records had been falsified.
• Why a cell that was supposed to be ‘ligature-free’ had an obvious ligature point.

Michael Bailey’s family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members barrister Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Nogah Ofer of Hickman and Rose Solicitors.  Michael’s family will give a statement at the conclusion of the inquest.

For more information (PDF Doc) click here >

Messages for the Bailey family can be sent via info@4wardever.org