HL Deb 19 November 2003 vol 654 cc296-7WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will arrange for a public inquiry into the death by suicide of Joseph Scholes, aged 16, on 24 March 2002 in Stoke Heath young offender institution, and into connected issues. [HL5503]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

There are no current plans to hold a public inquiry into the case of John (known as Joe) Scholes. More generally Paul Goggins is considering whether from a future date the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman should provide independent scrutiny of all deaths in prison custody.

Any death in custody, particularly that of a young person, is a terrible tragedy, which needs to be carefully investigated. As matters stand in the case of Joe Scholes, the coroner's inquest into his death has not yet taken place, having been adjourned with no date yet set.

Both the police and the Prison Service have already investigated the death. In the latter investigation the investigating team included two members from outside the Prison Service (Youth Justice Board and the Director of Public Health) and an advisory panel was also convened to advise the investigation. The panel included representatives from the Prison Service, Youth Justice Board, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman's Office, the local health authority and social services. The resultant investigation report has been disclosed to the coroner in order to inform the inquest, and to the family's legal representatives.

Additionally, Trafford Social Services has carried out a "Part 8" case review pursuant to Part 8 of Working Together to Safeguard Children and that report will be finalised after the inquest.