Leslie Thomas represented the family of CG at the three-week inquest into his death at Southwark Coroner's Court. CG was young man suffering from schizophrenia who died by suspending himself from his cell window in HMP Brixton in September 2007.
The jury returned a unanimous Open Verdict and a highly critical narrative which stated that the inappropriate procedures and systems for caring for mentally ill inmates, inadequate staffing, lack of training, poor communication and inadequate risk assessment at Brixton prison had all contributed to CG's death.
HM Coroner for Inner South London, Dr Harris, is also currently considering a Rule 43 report on the important issue of cell sharing risk assessment.
CG had been removed from the Healthcare Wing in Brixton prison - which had been deemed "unfit for purpose" by the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons - and was placed in a cell on Ordinary Location with another vulnerable and mentally ill inmate, who, the jury found, contributed to and triggered CG's low mood and could not have raised the alarm should anything have happened to CG.
Leslie was instructed by Charlotte Haworth Hird of Bindmans
Leslie Thomas is part of Garden Court Chambers Inquest Team.
