Family say woman's jail death could have been prevented

Annelise Sanderson was pronounced dead in her cell at HMP Styal

The death of a teenager who took her own life in prison could have been prevented, her family has said.

An inquest jury in Warrington concluded Annelise Sanderson, 18, died from suicide at HMP Styal and noted there were some failings in her care.

But Victoria Davies, area coroner for Cheshire, said she felt reassured the various organisations involved had introduced new processes.

Miss Sanderson's family said her death had been "incomprehensible".

The teenager was sentenced in June 2020 to 52 weeks in custody after she assaulted a paramedic who went to her aid when she tried to set herself on fire at a petrol station.

Six months later on 22 December, Miss Sanderson was pronounced dead in her cell at HMP Styal - only weeks before she was due to be released.

A safety plan was put in place three days into her custodial term when she was identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm.

Annelise was serving her sentence at HMP Styal in Cheshire

Miss Sanderson, who also had alcohol and drug issues, was recorded as displaying "bizarre behaviour" when she arrived at the jail on 26 June when strict Covid-19 restrictions were in place.

The plan was closed eight days later after it was noted that Miss Sanderson appeared "settled", the inquest heard.

Mental health nurses noted she "engaged very, very well" at her first proper face-to-face assessment in August as Miss Sanderson spoke of goals she wanted to achieve when leaving custody.

She was discharged from the mental health team on 17 December, three days before her death.

The teenager was initially due to be released on Christmas Eve but had four weeks added to her sentence for a separate matter.

Miss Sanderson told staff she was "not bothered" about the delay and said "it is what it is and I just have to get on with it".

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The inquest heard that Miss Sanderson became upset on 21 December following a row on the phone with her girlfriend.

But former inmate Kerry Burgin said Miss Sanderson later asked her to practice a dance routine they were due to perform on Boxing Day.

She told the court Miss Sanderson was the "life and soul" of their dormitory" and that her death was a "complete shock".

Noting the circumstances of her death, the jury stated: "It is worth noting that the coronavirus pandemic was prevalent during the entirety of Anneline's time at HMP.

"This impacted a number of procedures and activities.

"There appears to be a lack of communication, accessibility and recording of records."

Since Miss Sanderson's death the mental health budget for HMP Styal had tripled to £1.5m, Cheshire Coroner's Court heard.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust had also introduced a new key worker system which includes weekly welfare checks for more complex prisoners.

Coroner Ms Davies said: "I am reassured since Annelise's death that organisations have put in place new processes and tightened up those that were already in existence.

"This was a tragic loss of a young life, of someone who was determined to stay out of prison forever when she got out and was hopeful for the future.

"My sincere hope is that future prisoners will be better supported."

'Just another number'

Following the inquest, Miss Sanderson's mother Angela Gray and wider family releasing a statementrsaid: "Her death has been incomprehensible and devastating, and we think it could have been prevented.

"Over the course of this week we have seen for ourselves how Annelise was treated in prison.

"She was just another number to them.

"Her mental health issues were seen as bad behaviour, and when she withdrew into herself she was just left to her own devices.

"She fell through the cracks despite asking for help from people who should have kept her safe."

Miss Sanderson was the youngest person to have died in a women's prison in 20 years, the charity Inquest said, and one of 11 self-inflicted deaths at HMP Styal since 2007.

Inquest director Deborah Coles said: "The fundamental question for all of us is why was she sent to prison in the first place?

"Deaths in Styal prison are at a record high and two self-inflicted deaths in December raise serious renewed questions about women's health and safety."

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