AN INQUIRY into non-natural deaths of people with mental health conditions in state detention has been launched by The Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The inquiry will look at suicide, homicide, unknown and accidental deaths of people in psychiatric hospitals, prison and police custody in England and Wales, to identify what can be done to help prevent more tragedies.
According to official figures 215 people died in prison last year – the highest number since records began.
Of these 74 were suicides.
There were 98 non-natural deaths of people detained in psychiatric hospitals and almost half of those who died in police custody in 2012/13 had mental health conditions.
The Commission has unique, statutory powers under the Equality Act 2006 to conduct inquiries into anything relating to its equality and human rights duties.
This inquiry will examine how well hospitals, prisons and the police service comply with their obligations under the Human Rights Act, which obliges states to protect everyone’s right to life.
The inquiry will look at existing evidence from 2010 to 2013 to pinpoint trends and systemic issues that might be resulting in people losing their lives.
It will also consider whether ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation and other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 have a bearing on non-natural deaths.
A report on the findings will be published in spring 2015, with recommendations for action needed by relevant bodies.
Mark Hammond, Equality and Human Rights Commission CEO, said:
“The right to life is the most fundamental right we all share. Despite efforts by the various authorities to prevent deaths of people in psychiatric hospitals, prisons and police custody, every year there are preventable deaths.
“We want to work with all the organisations involved to make sure the lessons of previous tragedies are indeed being learnt.
“The protections of equality law and human rights are for everyone and the Commission’s remit gives us powers to bring together different organisations to try and ensure we all do everything possible to prevent future deaths.”
