Jury find impact of TPIM caused death

Today the first inquest ever to consider the impact of a TPIM[1] on the deceased has concluded. The jury at the inquest concluded that a TPIM imposed on the deceased, and its likely reimposition on his release from prison, caused his death.

The jury found that:

The unusually restrictive nature of the TPIM had a substantial impact on the deceased’s mental state.
The restrictive and possibly never-ending nature of the TPIM had a significant impact on his mental state.
The prison services were unaware of TPIM restrictions and their likely impact on the deceased. As a result, there was a failure to provide the deceased with the support required for his specific needs and situation.

The deceased had never been charged or convicted of any terrorism offence, but the inquest heard that he was labelled a terrorist and felt that he was ‘trapped in a net’, and subject to a ‘vicious cycle’, by the TPIM regime.

A Governor of HMP Wandsworth accepted in evidence that lack of knowledge of TPIMs by prison staff had resulted in ‘unintentionally cruel’ treatment of the deceased.

The Coroner hearing the inquest has confirmed that he will issue a prevention of future death report (PFD[2]), an urgent and unprecedented step to avert risks to the lives of individuals currently subject to the TPIM regime in prison and in the community.

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FAMILY COMMENT:

The deceased’s family welcome these findings, which send a clear message that these measures have gone too far, and have devastating consequences for individuals and their families. Although nothing can bring back their loving son, brother and uncle, they hope that this will make a real difference to those who are currently at the mercy of this inhumane regime.

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For further questions: Elizabeth Forrester (solicitor for the family) ForresterE@birnbergpeirce.co.uk

[1] Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measure(s) imposed pursuant to the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011.

[2] A PFD report is issued where the coroner believes that the relevant public body (in this case, the Government departments responsible for administering and imposing TPIMs) may have power to take relevant action to prevent future deaths.