§ Brigadier-General Spearsasked the Home Secretary whether he is holding an inquiry into the death in Brixton Prison of John Edward Corderoy; and whether he will inform the House of the result?
§ Sir S. HoareThis man was arrested at St. Nicholas Hospital, Plumstead, on 4th October, and was lodged in Brixton Prison the same day. He was medically examined on reception and again after he had attended court on the following day. The Medical Officer came to the conclusion that his condition was not such as to require his location in hospital. His death occurred on 7th October and was the subject of full inquiry at the inquest. The evidence at the inquest included evidence from a pathologist, who made the post-mortem examination, that the arrangement made at the prison for his custody in no way accelerated the man's death. The Jury returned a verdict that death was due to natural causes.
263WIn the course of the proceedings there was a conflict of evidence on the question of what information was given verbally to the Prison officials about the man's medical condition when he was first lodged in prison, and the Jury added a rider to the effect that notice in writing should be given to the prison authorities whenever a prisoner appears to be Ill when charged at court or when his arrest is effected at a hospital. It is clearly desirable that notification on such a point should be in writing, and steps are being taken with a view to giving effect to this recommendation.