Independent investigation into the case of 'JL' published
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) response to the independent investigation conducted by Selena Lynch into the life-threatening self-harm of JL at HM Young Offenders Institute (YOI) Feltham on 19 August 2002 has been published.
JL was remanded into custody at HMYOI Feltham on 19 July 2002. On 19 August at 14.30 hours he was discovered hanging. After being successfully resuscitated he was taken to hospital. He temporarily returned to custody but was subsequently transferred to a brain injury rehabilitation centre and is currently residing in a community based rehabilitation centre.
A Prison Service investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident was carried out by a prison governor in 2002, which made a number of findings and recommendations about JL’s care whilst at Feltham. However in order to meet the State’s investigative obligation under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, NOMS commissioned Cynthia McDougall OBE, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of York, to conduct an independent investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding JL’s life-threatening self-harm and to see whether there were lessons to be learned that might contribute to the care of prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm.
In this case, a public hearing also formed part of the investigation. The public hearing was conducted by Selena Lynch, Barrister, and Deputy Coroner for South London and the Royal Household, who considered whether any further lines of enquiry needed exploring and what further witness evidence was required. The public hearing was held between the 10 and 12 January and 11 March 2011 at the International Disputes Resolution Centre.
The investigation reports completed by Cynthia McDougall and Selena Lynch are both published, along with the NOMS response to Professor McDougall’s investigation.
