NO MORE IRISH DEATHS IN CUSTODY Inquest into
the death of Kevin Sheridan Verdict Suicide Members of the Irish deaths in custody campaign attended the hearing to both support the family and record the proceedings. Below is a short statement from the campaign. We are appalled at the catalogue of mistakes, gross negligence and the total lack of basic care given to Kevin Sheridan during his short period in custody. We feel that this all accumulatively lead to the death of Kevin Sheridan while on remand at Brixton Prison.
We feel there is a need to look at all the incidents mentioned above which took place, and why this situation was aloud to happen. Over and over again we see prisoners die in custody, followed by Inquests, which make recommendations. Yet time and time again we witness the prison service refusal to put these recommendations into good working practice in the care of prisoners. As a result of this inaction the very basic human right the right to life is not given to prisoners. The Lawrence Inquiry very clearly states the presence of Institutional Racism within the Police service, and we would argue that the Prison service is a reflection of the same service. This was proved by a study carried out by the Commission for Racial Equality, carried out within Brixton Prison. The findings of that study clearly showed that the treatment of both Black and Irish prisoners was different from the treatment of other white English prisoners, (that is not to say that their treatment is much better at the best of times). And that both Irish and Black prisoners were subjected to abuse and ill treatment by the Prison staff. Brixton Prison staff should know that the last letter to the Governor of Brixton prison by Kevin Sheridan very clearly illustrates that if the staff there had shown even an inch of the compassion that Kevin showed them, he would be alive and a free man today. We therefore demand the following and hope that you are able to support us in our demands
For further details contact Terry Stewart on 07931844969 e-mail [email protected] |