Inquest of inmate at Winson Green Prison - narrative verdict returned
19/12/2005
Thank you to everyone involved in my case. I never dreamed of such an outcome and you have made such a long and difficult case seem easy and bearable.
Nigel, Derbyshire
The Jury today returned a narrative verdict at the Inquest of Darren Davies, who died at Winson Green Prison in Birmingham.
"Mr Darren Jason Davies died of natural causes. He didn't realise the severity of his condition.
Winson Green was running a disorganised medical system at the time due to a lack of resources. It is therefore difficult for a suitable analysis of events to be made," said the Jury.
Darren Davies, 23, died at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham on 5th March 2001. He died as a result of dehydration having become seriously ill on commencing his prison stay on the 1st March.
Following a previous five-day inquest on 1st February 2002, the coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death. This verdict has been contested by Darren's mother Christine. The Court of Appeal ruled that there should be a new inquest.
Christine appealed because she felt that the coroner had failed to properly direct the jury as to the meaning of neglect and that the failure of the nurse who attended on Darren to seek assistance could amount to neglect. That he failed to admit key evidence from one of the Doctors which reflected his views as to the quality of care afforded to Darren. And he failed to leave to the jury any issues relating to a systemic failure in the prison's arrangements for caring for a prisoner who needed medication for drug withdrawal.
Solicitor Louise Hunt who has represented the family said:
"In these circumstances, an inquest was the only opportunity that this family had for finding out what happened to Darren."
"They felt deeply let down by the first process and welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal to allow a second inquest."
"The purpose of this Inquest was to ascertain whether systemic neglect was a contributory cause of Darren's death. Although this has not been clearly affirmed, the Jury has said that there was a 'disorganised system' at the Prison, which it seems may be partly to blame for Darren's death."
"It is very important that thorough public investigation and scrutiny, lessons are learnt from this tragedy and that there will be no future repetition of this event."
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