Before HM Senior Coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, Mr Peter Nieto
Derby City Council, Council House, Corporation St, Derby DE1 2FS
Opens Wednesday 25 September 2024
Scheduled for 8 days
Saria Hart, 26, died on 13 October 2019 after ligaturing at HMP Foston Hall nine days earlier. She had been remanded to custody only seven weeks before. An inquest will now examine the circumstances of her death.
Saria’s death is one of 17 deaths in the prison since June 2004, 10 of which were self-inflicted.
Saria was born in Tamworth, the third of seven children. She had a long history of anxiety, depression and self-harm.
On 14 August 2019, Saria was arrested. During her arrest, she threatened to self-harm and take her own life whilst holding a knife. Saria was subsequently remanded to Foston Hall prison on 16 August 2019.
Before Saria arrived at the prison, the prison was informed that there was a self-harm alert for Saria. The prison were, or should have been aware, from Saria’s medical records that she had a history of self-harm and ligaturing in custody, including at HMP Foston Hall.
Despite this, following an initial screening and health assessment, no safety plan for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm (known as an ACCT) was put in place. She received no support for her mental health during her time in custody.
On 3 October, Saria was restrained by a number of prison officers following an incident on the wing in which she was allegedly abusive towards staff. Prison officers subsequently placed her in segregation.
That afternoon, Saria passed a handwritten note to a prison officer detailing intent to take her own life if she lost her prison job as a wing cleaner. Subsequently, a prison officer opened an ACCT.
On 4 October, Saria had an ACCT assessment and reiterated her wish to die. At a disciplinary hearing known as an adjudication, Saria was found guilty for the incident the previous day and given punishments including losing 50% of her earnings.
At around 3.30pm, Saria rang her emergency cell bell. When an officer responded, Saria passed them another note expressing her distress and concerns about her mental health.
Later that day, just before 5pm, an officer found Saria ligatured in her cell. A code blue was called and Saria was taken to Royal Derby Hospital. Saria was declared dead on 13 October 2019.
The inquest into her death will seek to explore the following issues:
- Saria’s initial screening at HMP Foston Hall on 16 August 2019
- Events on 3 October 2019 including the incident with prison staff, the decision to place Saria into segregation and Saria’s note
- Events on 4 October 2019 including Saria’s adjudication and Saria’s second note
- ACCT procedures and the management of Saria’s risk on 3 and 4 October 2019
Karen Brown, Saria’s mother, said: “Saria had a cheeky smile that fit right with her character. She was a very sociable girl and loved being around people. She had a big heart. She was stubbornly independent and normally didn’t know how to ask for help.
It’s clear to me that Saria was struggling really, and she tried to ask for help at HMP Foston Hall. Nobody was listening. Nobody took any notice. It breaks my heart to think about Saria begging for help and no one listening.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information or to note your interest, please contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected].
Saria’s family are represented by Inquest Lawyers Group members Erica San of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Matthew Turner of Doughty Street Chambers.
The family are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.
Saria Hart: Inquest To Open Into Self-inflicted Death At Foston Hall Prison
CONTENT WARNING: Please read with care as this page may involve information on death, suicide, mental illness, disability, state neglect, and police and prison violence that some people may find upsetting. If you need support, please visit our support page.
Before HM Senior Coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, Mr Peter Nieto
Derby City Council, Council House, Corporation St, Derby DE1 2FS
Opens Wednesday 25 September 2024
Scheduled for 8 days
Saria Hart, 26, died on 13 October 2019 after ligaturing at HMP Foston Hall nine days earlier. She had been remanded to custody only seven weeks before. An inquest will now examine the circumstances of her death.
Saria’s death is one of 17 deaths in the prison since June 2004, 10 of which were self-inflicted.
Saria was born in Tamworth, the third of seven children. She had a long history of anxiety, depression and self-harm.
On 14 August 2019, Saria was arrested. During her arrest, she threatened to self-harm and take her own life whilst holding a knife. Saria was subsequently remanded to Foston Hall prison on 16 August 2019.
Before Saria arrived at the prison, the prison was informed that there was a self-harm alert for Saria. The prison were, or should have been aware, from Saria’s medical records that she had a history of self-harm and ligaturing in custody, including at HMP Foston Hall.
Despite this, following an initial screening and health assessment, no safety plan for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm (known as an ACCT) was put in place. She received no support for her mental health during her time in custody.
On 3 October, Saria was restrained by a number of prison officers following an incident on the wing in which she was allegedly abusive towards staff. Prison officers subsequently placed her in segregation.
That afternoon, Saria passed a handwritten note to a prison officer detailing intent to take her own life if she lost her prison job as a wing cleaner. Subsequently, a prison officer opened an ACCT.
On 4 October, Saria had an ACCT assessment and reiterated her wish to die. At a disciplinary hearing known as an adjudication, Saria was found guilty for the incident the previous day and given punishments including losing 50% of her earnings.
At around 3.30pm, Saria rang her emergency cell bell. When an officer responded, Saria passed them another note expressing her distress and concerns about her mental health.
Later that day, just before 5pm, an officer found Saria ligatured in her cell. A code blue was called and Saria was taken to Royal Derby Hospital. Saria was declared dead on 13 October 2019.
The inquest into her death will seek to explore the following issues:
Karen Brown, Saria’s mother, said: “Saria had a cheeky smile that fit right with her character. She was a very sociable girl and loved being around people. She had a big heart. She was stubbornly independent and normally didn’t know how to ask for help.
It’s clear to me that Saria was struggling really, and she tried to ask for help at HMP Foston Hall. Nobody was listening. Nobody took any notice. It breaks my heart to think about Saria begging for help and no one listening.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information or to note your interest, please contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected].
Saria’s family are represented by Inquest Lawyers Group members Erica San of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Matthew Turner of Doughty Street Chambers.
The family are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker Selen Cavcav.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.
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