Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the families of individuals who have died in custody or detention have access to justice.

There must be a coroners’ inquest into any death in state detention, including deaths from natural causes. The inquest must be held with a jury where the death is not from natural causes. The inquest must ascertain how, when and where the person died.

In addition, all deaths in custody are subject to a police investigation and an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Once the inquest has been concluded, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s office publishes a detailed ‘Fatal Incident Report’ on the death which includes recommendations to prevent further deaths.