Daniel Fielding

This is a media release by Ison Harrison Ltd, reshared by INQUEST

Before Coroner Johanna Thompson 
Liverpool and Wirral Coroners Court, Gerard Majella Courthouse, Boundary Street, Liverpool L5 2QD
16 – 20 June 2025

The Inquest into the death of Daniel Fielding (“Danny) concluded on 20 June 2025. HM Coroner Johanna Thompson sat with a Jury at Liverpool Coroner’s Court and heard evidence over a 5 day period. Although the Jury returned a conclusion of suicide the evidence at the inquest highlighted a number of failings concerning the lack of mental health care and treatment that Danny received whilst he was in custody at HMP Liverpool.

The oldest of his siblings, Danny is described as being a sweet, cheeky little boy who grew up to be loving, kind and funny. He was a much-loved son, father and brother.

Danny had an extensive history of self-harm and suicide attempts and received care and treatment from the mental health teams both when in the community and whilst in custody.

On the 13 October 2023, Daniel was remanded to HMP Liverpool, where he underwent a mental health assessment. There was a delay of approximately a month before he was prescribed with medication for his mental health.

Between 12 December and 19 January Danny was placed on an ACCT, a safety plan for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm, on two occasions due to self-harm and concerns about his mental health.

On 17 and 18 January it was noted that he had refused to attend work but gave no reason for doing so. Another prisoner stated that he had also passed on concerns to a member of staff in the two days leading up to his death.

In the early hours of the 19 January within five minutes of an alleged morning welfare check Danny was found unresponsive in his cell.

During the course of the Inquest witnesses conceded that

1. The Mental Health team had developed a plan to assess and manage Danny’s needs and had scheduled an appointment for this purpose. Unfortunately, this appointment did not take place, and Danny did not receive further management from the Mental Health team thereafter. During his evidence, the Modern Matron at HMP Liverpool, Mr. Hird, was unable to provide an explanation for this lapse.
2. Danny had been diagnosed with a personality disorder, for which the primary recommended treatment was psychological therapy. At the time, this service was subcontracted by the Mental Health provider and access to therapy was subject to a waiting period of approximately three to six months, which was in part due to ongoing unfilled vacancies within the psychology team. Under the policy in place at the time, individuals requiring psychological therapy were not added to the waiting list while subject to the ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) process. Additionally, referrals to the service were expected to be initiated by the individuals themselves.
3. Since Danny’s death it was confirmed that

1. 1. Further psychologists have been recruited;
   2. The policy has been amended so that patients are placed on the waiting list and treated, irrespective of their ACCT status.
   3. The Modern Matron at HMP Liverpool Mr Hird disclosed that he did not understand the rationale for the previous policy and that the new policy was an improvement.

Danny’s mother Maggie Farley said: "He was our world – a son, a brother, a father, a friend – and he was deeply loved by everyone who truly knew him. We know he wasn’t perfect; none of us are. But he deserved help, compassion, and a system that didn’t give up on him. Time and again, he reached out, and time and again, the system let him down.

We’re sharing this not just out of grief, but in hope. Men often feel they have to stay silent about their struggles. We want to say: please speak up. Please reach out. Your life matters more than you know. And to those in positions of power – mental health support shouldn’t be a postcode lottery, or based on someone’s past. It should be a basic right. 

We can’t bring him back, but we very much hope that the changes that have now been made at HMP Liverpool make a difference for those men in the future who also struggle with their mental health."

Gemma Vine Solicitor for the family said: "We are pleased to see the recent improvements in the availability and accessibility of psychological therapy for prisoners with mental health problems at HMP Liverpool, however for Danny these changes have come too late. It is essential that the most vulnerable individuals in our prison system receive the care and support they need.

Access to timely and appropriate mental health treatment not only promotes rehabilitation and recovery, but also contributes to a safer and more humane custodial environment.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information or to note your interest, please contact Gemma Vine on [email protected].

Daniel’s family are represented by Inquest Lawyers Group member Gemma Vine of Ison Harrison Limited and Counsel Richard Copnall of Park Lane Plowden.

The family are supported by INQUEST Caseworker Jordan Ferdinand-Sargeant.

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.