An interview with INQUEST

I recently conducted an online interview with Helen Shaw, Co-Director of INQUEST

1. Can you explain the role of INQUEST and how it began?

INQUEST was set up in 1981 by the families and friends of a number of people who had died in controversial circumstances in police and prison custody. One of the founder members of INQUEST was Celia Stubbs the partner of Blair Peach who died after be hit on the head with a police baton. We are the only independent advice and campaigning organisation working directly with bereaved families and friends following a death in custody.

This includes deaths at the hands of state agents and in all forms of custody; police, prison, young offender institutions, secure training centres and immigration detention centres. We provide a free, confidential advice service to all families who go through an inquest process including those families whose relatives have died at work or following major disasters.

We also undertake policy and parliamentary work and most recently have been working on the use of restraint against children in secure training centres and the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. Our casework priorities are deaths in police and prison, in immigration detention and deaths of detained patients).

Our focus on deaths in custody and the monitoring of such deaths means that we are at the forefront of uncovering patterns and trends. Arising from this we have particular concerns about the deaths of women, black people, children and young people, and people with mental health problems. This is both in terms of the treatment and care received by the deceased in custody and the experience of bereaved relatives following the death.

2. What changes do you want to see in the inquest system?

INQUEST’s casework over the last 25 years has indicated that the most pressing reforms that are needed are an extension of the remit of the inquest system, changing the structure to create a national coroner service to improve service delivery and ensure high standards and accountability; improvement to the support and information available to bereaved people; the introduction of a system of monitoring inquest verdicts and a statutory obligations on public bodies to respond to the findings of an inquest; Non-means tested legal aid for bereaved people; specific action to be taken to counter lengthy delays.

3. What responses have you received from the publication "Unlocking the Truth"?

We have had an extremely positive response for ‘Unlocking the Truth’, A review of the book from the Guardian can be found here. The report describes the experiences of families bereaved by deaths in custody from the time of death to the conclusion of the investigation and inquest and situates them within the political, recent historical and legal context. Copies can be ordered from our website.

4. The Government eventually conceded and included deaths in prisons and police cells in the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act. How will this translate in practice?

The government strongly opposed the extension of the remit of this piece of legislation to cover deaths in custody. After being defeated 5 times in the House of Lords on this issue they eventually conceded to extending the law on the basis that the legislation would not come into force for 3-5 years.

We will be monitoring the actions taken by the government on this as the issue progresses. We would hope the legislation would act primarily as a deterrent to prevent future deaths which have been caused by systemic management failings.

5. The number of women who have died in prison so far in 2007 has been 7. With the completion and publication of the Corston Review, do you expect the Government to accept Corston's recommendations?

The government is expected to publish its response to the Corston Review tomorrow and we eagerly await their response. So far they have sounded positive about the review’s findings but given the current climate of criminal justice policy with increasing numbers of people being sent to prison and limited resources being put aside by the government to support community alternatives to custody we are not particularly hopeful the government will endorse all of the Corston reviews recommendations.

6. This society locks up vulnerable and powerless people but what is an utter travesty is the locking up of young people. Young people like Joseph Scholes and Gareth Myatt who was subjected to physical restraint ("seated double embrace"). What is Inquest doing to highlight this?

INQUEST believes that for many young people, prison is an inappropriate place where their experience of imprisonment can contribute directly to their death.
We believe there needs to be a proper understanding of how vulnerable children should be treated in the criminal justice system and are calling for a properly resourced public inquiry into the deaths of the 30 children who have died in state custody since 1990 in the hope that proper lessons can be learnt from these tragic deaths.

INQUEST has particular concerns about the high levels of restraint used on children in custody. We are currently campaigning against the government’s decision to extend the use of restraint that can be used against children in secure training centres.

7. I attended the deaths in custody demonstration at the end of October. It was organised by the United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC). Can you tell me how this campaign came about?

The UFFC is a collective of families who have had a death in custody and who campaign to highlight the issues and prevent future deaths. It was formed by a number of families who had been supported by INQUEST and who wanted to campaign together. Each year the UFFC organises a Family Remembrance Procession from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street where they lay flowers in memory of those they have lost and hand a letter to the Prime Minister.
Each year it proves to be a powerful event helping to raise the profile of deaths in custody with those who need to listen and take action. It also is a valuable opportunity for families to meet and share their experiences with each other. More information can be found on the UFFC.

8. What can trade unionists and activists do to campaign around these issues? How can we show support to Inquest?

Trade Unionists have a vital role to play in campaigning around deaths in custody. INQUEST has historically worked closely with the trade union movement and last year produced a pamphlet with UNISON on Black Deaths in Custody: The story of Roger Sylvester.

We encourage individuals and branches to affiliate to inquest, invite us to speak at events and distribute our material.
You can also sign up to our e-newsletter (via the website) which has details of our current activity and how you can get involved.
Individuals who would like to get involved in campaigning can also contact individual family campaigns – our website has a list of current campaigns.

9. The jury found the MPS guilty of endangering the public over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. Justice 4 Jean is campaigning for a full inquest, judicial public inquiry, and recognise accountability and responsibility for these actions such as manslaughter charges being brought and Ian Blair resigning. What is Inquest's opinion of this?

INQUEST supports the Menezes family campaign for justice and demands. We are working with the family’s solicitors to assist them in securing a prompt, wide reaching inquest as soon as possible.