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05/05/2011
Double Deaths Rocks Northern Prison
There have been two further deaths in prison custody in the North with both a male and a female remand prisoner found dead at Hydebank in south Belfast.
A service spokesperson said the deaths "were not related" and the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has today expressed his deep sadness following the tragedies at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison yesterday.
Colin McConnell has said the thoughts and prayers of the entire Service are with the bereaved families.
Just after 5pm yesterday afternoon, during the unlocking of offenders in Elm 1, officers found prisoner Samuel Carson, 19, in a collapsed state in his cell.
Despite efforts by staff and paramedics to resuscitate him, he could not be revived. A ligature was recovered from the cell.
At around 8.30pm yesterday evening, during a routine check by staff in Ash 4, officers found prisoner Frances McKeown, 23, in a collapsed state in her cell.
Efforts to resuscitate her by staff and paramedics were unsuccessful. A ligature was recovered from her cell.
Both families have been notified and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have also been informed and their investigations are ongoing.
Colin McConnell said: "Yesterday's tragic events at Hydebank Wood have stunned everyone and there is deep sadness across the Service.
"At this very difficult time I offer my sympathies to both the Carson and McKeown families. They are in the thoughts and prayers of our entire Service.
"I also want to recognise the efforts made by the staff who were on duty at the time, who did everything they could to bring about a different outcome," he concluded.
There have been several deaths in custody across NI's prisons over recent years, including that of a teenager late last year in Hydebank.
See: 'Support' Call Follows Hydebank Death
See: Staff Suspended Over NI Prison Death
(BMcC/GK)
A service spokesperson said the deaths "were not related" and the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has today expressed his deep sadness following the tragedies at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Prison yesterday.
Colin McConnell has said the thoughts and prayers of the entire Service are with the bereaved families.
Just after 5pm yesterday afternoon, during the unlocking of offenders in Elm 1, officers found prisoner Samuel Carson, 19, in a collapsed state in his cell.
Despite efforts by staff and paramedics to resuscitate him, he could not be revived. A ligature was recovered from the cell.
At around 8.30pm yesterday evening, during a routine check by staff in Ash 4, officers found prisoner Frances McKeown, 23, in a collapsed state in her cell.
Efforts to resuscitate her by staff and paramedics were unsuccessful. A ligature was recovered from her cell.
Both families have been notified and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have also been informed and their investigations are ongoing.
Colin McConnell said: "Yesterday's tragic events at Hydebank Wood have stunned everyone and there is deep sadness across the Service.
"At this very difficult time I offer my sympathies to both the Carson and McKeown families. They are in the thoughts and prayers of our entire Service.
"I also want to recognise the efforts made by the staff who were on duty at the time, who did everything they could to bring about a different outcome," he concluded.
There have been several deaths in custody across NI's prisons over recent years, including that of a teenager late last year in Hydebank.
See: 'Support' Call Follows Hydebank Death
See: Staff Suspended Over NI Prison Death
(BMcC/GK)
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