'No immediate response' to inmate's self-harm plan

Saria Hart died after nine days in intensive care at the Royal Derby Hospital

A jury has ruled prison staff did not take sufficient action to deal with an inmate who said they wanted to take their own life.

Saria Hart, 26, was found unresponsive in her cell at HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire on 4 October 2019 and died nine days later in hospital.

Derby Coroner's Court heard Hart had passed on two notes to staff expressing concerns for her wellbeing during her time in segregation, following a previous altercation with prison officers.

Karen Brown, Hart's mother, said: "We are still so hurt and angry that Saria died in circumstances where she was clearly begging for help and nobody took any notice."

The jury, in their conclusion, said there was "no adequate or immediate response" to Hart's second note.

The inquest into Hart's death, which was heard at Derby's Council House, was told she had a history of mental health problems and had been in prison on a number of occasions.

The jury heard Hart had threatened to harm herself at the point of her arrest in August 2019.

Born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Hart arrived at HMP Foston Hall after her arrest, where she was subject to a risk management plan, the inquest heard.

She had lived in Stone, Staffordshire, prior to going into custody.

Hart was on remand at HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire when the incident happened

Ms Brown, Hart's mother said: "Our Riri, was a bubbly, cheeky girl who loved being around people.

"We had our good days and our bad days like any other family, but she meant so much to all of us.

"We are still so hurt and angry that Saria died in circumstances where she was clearly begging for help and nobody took any notice.

"Five years on from Saria’s passing, the jury has confirmed what we have always known – that more should have been done to prevent Saria’s death."

'Extremely upset'

Senior coroner Peter Nieto told the inquest Hart was alleged to have assaulted members of prison staff the day before she was taken to hospital.

After an altercation on 3 October 2019, she was put on "zero tolerance/basic regime" where Hart wrote a note which said she wanted to end her life.

The court heard she was "extremely upset" after finding out she had lost her cleaning job in the prison and was confined to her cell.

Hart had a mental health assessment and told staff she wished to end her own life.

Later that day on 4 October, the court heard Hart passed a second note through her cell door, again expressing thoughts of a similar nature.

A prison officer went to check on Hart about an hour after the note was passed on but found her unresponsive in her cell.

Mr Nieto said a "code blue" was called and Hart and was transferred to the Royal Derby Hospital.

The inquest was told Hart died of a hypoxic brain injury on 13 October after nine days in intensive care.

The jury concluded Hart took her own life and that it was "probable" an inadequate response to her feelings of self-harm contributed to her death.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with Saria Hart's friends and family.

"All staff now receive improved training on suicide and self-harm, and we're working with charities to provide further support to vulnerable prisoners."

If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, please visit BBC Action Line.