Suicide risk teen inmate dies
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A teenager has died after being found unconscious in his cell at
a Kent young offenders institute.
Alex Kelly, 15, had been identified as being at risk of suicide
or self-harm at HMP Cookham Wood, near Rochester.
Staff attempted to resuscitate him before he was taken to
hospital after being discovered in his cell at about 8.30pm on
Tuesday.
But Alex was pronounced dead at 7.30pm on Wednesday, a Prison
Service spokesman said.
He had been serving a 10-month detention and training order for
burglary and theft from a vehicle.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Every death in custody or the
community is a tragedy for families and has a profound effect on
staff and other offenders.
"The National Offender Management Service is committed to
reducing the numbers of deaths in custody.
"Each death is subject to an investigation and, since 2004,
these have been undertaken by the Prisons and Probation
Ombudsman.
"Additionally for young people who die in custody there will be
a Serious Case Review, commissioned by the Local Safeguarding
Board. Strenuous efforts are made to learn from each death and
improve our understanding and procedures for caring for prisoners,
including young offenders.''
A Prisons and Probation Ombudsman spokesman said: "We are
very sorry to be informed of the death of Alex Kelly and extend our
sympathies to his family and friends, whom we will involve in our
investigation if they wish, and try to answer any questions they
may have.
"Our independent investigation will aim to identify the full
circumstances of the death and whether there were any failings in
Alex Kelly's care.
"Where possible we will identify lessons to be learned and make
recommendations to the Prison Service to help prevent similar
deaths in future. We also share any findings with the Coroner to
assist with his enquiries."
Thursday, January 26 2012
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