News

The number of deaths in or following police custody has more than doubled over the past year, demonstrating the urgency with which the Home Office and police leadership must act to prevent these tragic and often avoidable deaths.

The latest statistics covering deaths in prison custody show an alarming increase in the number and rate of deaths in the 12 months to June 2023.

We welcome today’s announcement on the launch of the National Partnership Agreement and its guiding principle that people experiencing a mental health crisis should receive the right care from the right agency.

The Chief Inspector for Prisons’ annual report is a sobering reminder that prisoners continue to be left behind while the rest of society has long emerged from the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We welcome publication of the report of the rapid review into data on mental health inpatient settings, led by Dr Geraldine Strathdee, as an important first step towards improving patient safety.

During the Committee Stage of the Illegal Migration Bill in the House of Lords on 7 June, cross-party Peers raised the Panel’s concerns about the proposed expansion of detention powers under the Bill, and the impact this will have on the Government’s ability to keep people in its care safe.

The IAPDC has published the Spring edition of its newsletter which is shared with members of the Practitioner and Stakeholder Group (PSG).

The IAPDC has agreed a new interim workplan outlining key work to be delivered between April and October 2023 to prevent deaths in all forms of state custody.

Last month, Juliet Lyon, former IAPDC Chair, gave oral evidence to the Justice Committee on areas covered in her end of term report relating to the work of the Committee.

The Secretary of State for Justice has appointed Pauline McCabe OBE and Dr Jake Hard as panel members from July 2023 to July 2026.