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05/05/2011
Double Deaths Shock At NI Prison
There have been two shcok deaths in prison custody in Northern Ireland with both a male and a female remand prisoner found dead at a remand facility in south Belfast.
A service spokesperson said the deaths "were not related" and the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has today expressed his deep sadness following the tragedies at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison yesterday.
Colin McConnell has said the thoughts and prayers of the entire Service are with the bereaved families.
Just after 5pm yesterday afternoon, during the unlocking of offenders in Elm 1, officers found prisoner Samuel Carson, 19, in a collapsed state in his cell.
Despite efforts by staff and paramedics to resuscitate him, he could not be revived. A ligature was recovered from the cell.
At around 8.30pm yesterday evening, during a routine check by staff in Ash 4, officers found prisoner Frances McKeown, 23, in a collapsed state in her cell.
Efforts to resuscitate her by staff and paramedics were unsuccessful. A ligature was recovered from her cell.
Both families have been notified and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have also been informed and their investigations are ongoing.
Colin McConnell said: "Yesterday's tragic events at Hydebank Wood have stunned everyone and there is deep sadness across the Service.
"At this very difficult time I offer my sympathies to both the Carson and McKeown families. They are in the thoughts and prayers of our entire Service.
"I also want to recognise the efforts made by the staff who were on duty at the time, who did everything they could to bring about a different outcome," he concluded.
There have been several deaths in custody across NI's prisons over recent years, including that of a teenager late last year in Hydebank.
A Sinn Fein Assembly candidate, Caral NíChuilan has said the deaths of two young remand prisoners in Hydebank overnight is an indictment on the current state of support provided in our prisons for vulnerable people.
"Over recent times I have visited both Hydebank and Maghaberry prisons. I have been consistently saying that there is an issue about the quality and depth of the support being provided for vulnerable people being held in custody.
"It is no secret that many people within the prison system have significant mental health issues.
"While they are in the custody of the Prison Service it is their responsibility to ensure that these needs are properly addressed," she said, commenting that : "Every death through suicide in custody is an indictment on the system.
"It is now vital that both the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and the Prison Ombudsman carry out a speedy investigation into these two tragic deaths and report quickly with recommendations to ensure that we do not continue repeating the mistakes which lead to tragedies like last night."
See: 'Support' Call Follows Hydebank Death
See: Staff Suspended Over NI Prison Death
(BMcC/GK)
A service spokesperson said the deaths "were not related" and the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has today expressed his deep sadness following the tragedies at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison yesterday.
Colin McConnell has said the thoughts and prayers of the entire Service are with the bereaved families.
Just after 5pm yesterday afternoon, during the unlocking of offenders in Elm 1, officers found prisoner Samuel Carson, 19, in a collapsed state in his cell.
Despite efforts by staff and paramedics to resuscitate him, he could not be revived. A ligature was recovered from the cell.
At around 8.30pm yesterday evening, during a routine check by staff in Ash 4, officers found prisoner Frances McKeown, 23, in a collapsed state in her cell.
Efforts to resuscitate her by staff and paramedics were unsuccessful. A ligature was recovered from her cell.
Both families have been notified and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have also been informed and their investigations are ongoing.
Colin McConnell said: "Yesterday's tragic events at Hydebank Wood have stunned everyone and there is deep sadness across the Service.
"At this very difficult time I offer my sympathies to both the Carson and McKeown families. They are in the thoughts and prayers of our entire Service.
"I also want to recognise the efforts made by the staff who were on duty at the time, who did everything they could to bring about a different outcome," he concluded.
There have been several deaths in custody across NI's prisons over recent years, including that of a teenager late last year in Hydebank.
A Sinn Fein Assembly candidate, Caral NíChuilan has said the deaths of two young remand prisoners in Hydebank overnight is an indictment on the current state of support provided in our prisons for vulnerable people.
"Over recent times I have visited both Hydebank and Maghaberry prisons. I have been consistently saying that there is an issue about the quality and depth of the support being provided for vulnerable people being held in custody.
"It is no secret that many people within the prison system have significant mental health issues.
"While they are in the custody of the Prison Service it is their responsibility to ensure that these needs are properly addressed," she said, commenting that : "Every death through suicide in custody is an indictment on the system.
"It is now vital that both the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and the Prison Ombudsman carry out a speedy investigation into these two tragic deaths and report quickly with recommendations to ensure that we do not continue repeating the mistakes which lead to tragedies like last night."
See: 'Support' Call Follows Hydebank Death
See: Staff Suspended Over NI Prison Death
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
