Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024

Craig Steadman

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0442, written 12 Aug 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report12 Aug 2024
Reference2024-0442
DeceasedCraig Steadman
CoronerRosamund Rhodes-Kemp
Coroner areaHampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
CategorySuicide (from 2015) · State Custody related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

NOTE: This form is to be used after an inquest.

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

1 Chief Coroners Office
2
3
4

1

CORONER

I am Rosamund RHODES-KEMP, HM Area Coroner for the coroner area of Hampshire,
Portsmouth and Southampton

2

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.

3

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 7th March 2020 an investigation commenced into the death of Craig Steadman aged 32
years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 1st August 2024. The
conclusion of the Jury at Inquest was Medical Cause of death 1a.Ligature Suspension and
2.Mental Illness

NARRATIVE CONCLUSION

Mr Steadman died by suicide at 01:25 on the 27/02/2022 in cell D36 at 3, West Hill,
Romsey Road, Winchester. A probable contributing factor was the extended lock up due to
the covid regime and staff shortages meaning that Mr Steadman had not left his cell at all
on 26/02/2022. A possible contributing factor was the inadequate implementation of the
ACCT process on 26/02/2022

4

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

In January 2020 Craig Steadman was released from Custody on Licence but a week later he
breached a condition and was remanded back to HMP Winchester on 13th January. He had
Diabetes and a mental health history, was on a weekly anti psychotic injection plus a
history of multiple self harming incidents including overdosing on

.

After being assessed as suitable to hold his own medication he overdosed on
17th January 2020 and was placed on an ACCT which was closed again on 18th January.

on

He struggled with the Covid Lock Down restrictions and lack of contact with his family.

On 26th February he self harmed, cutting himself
reopened. At 00:44 he was found suspended by a ligature

, and the ACCT was

. CPR by staff then paramedics proved futile and he was sadly pronounced deceased

at 01:25 on 27th February 2020.

5

CORONER’S CONCERNS

During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern.

Regulation 28 – After Inquest
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

 In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the
circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:
(brief summary of matters of concern)

There were several investigations into Craig Steadman’s death including a
post incident review by HMP Winchester, the PPO,and the prison healthcare
provider.
Various recommendations flowed from the above.
However upon questioning of various members of staff called to give
evidence at the Inquest it became clear that several of them were not aware
of the findings of the investigations nor the recommendations. The reports
had not been shared with staff directly involved with Craig during his recent
time in custody.
It is not possible for learning to be fully disseminated and acted upon if
there is no process for sharing the findings of those organisations tasked
with investigating deaths in custody and discussing these with the relevant
Prison/Healthcare staff.

6

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or
your organisation) have the power to take such action.

7

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely by October 07, 2024. I, the coroner, may extend the period.

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the
timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed.
COPIES and PUBLICATION

8

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons

Government Legal Department
Practice Plus Group

I have also sent it to

Chief Coroners Office

who may find it useful or of interest.

I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all
interested persons who in my opinion should receive it.

I may also send a copy of your response to any person who I believe may find it useful or
of interest.

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form.
He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of
interest.

You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response about the
release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner.

Regulation 28 – After Inquest
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

 9

Dated: 12/08/2024

Rosamund RHODES-KEMP
HM Area Coroner for
Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton

Regulation 28 – After Inquest
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Hmpps (PDF)
Director General of Operations 
HM Prison and Probation Service 
8th Floor Ministry of Justice 
102 Petty France 
London 
SW1H 9AJ 

Email:

3 October 2024 

Ms Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp 
Area Coroner for Hampshire 
Coroner’s Office 
Castle Hill 
Winchester 
Hampshire 
SO23 8UL 

Dear Ms Rhodes-Kemp, 

Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 8 August 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Justice. I 
am  responding  on  behalf  of  His  Majesty’s  Prison  and  Probation  Service  (HMPPS)  as  Director 
General of Operations. 

I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Steadman’s family, and I would first like 
to express my condolences for their loss. Every death in custody is a tragedy and the safety of 
those in our care is my absolute priority. 

You have expressed concerns regarding the process for sharing findings and recommendations 
resulting from investigations into deaths in custody. 

I  have  received  assurances  from  the  Governor  at  HMP  Winchester  that  the  investigation  report 
into the death of Mr Steadman has now been shared and discussed with the relevant staff. Going 
forward, once an investigation report into the circumstances of a death in custody is received, the 
Head of Safety will identify the relevant members of staff and discuss the findings with them. This 
will include sharing the report, highlighting any areas of learning and ensuring that the member of 
staff understands the content. Additionally, any learning identified that concerns the prison more 
generally  will  be  acted  upon  at  an  early  stage,  ensuring  effective  changes  are  made.  This  will 
include liaising with other agencies, such as the healthcare provider.  

At a national level, all recommendations made following an investigation into a death in custody 
are considered by the national learning team and are used to produce learning bulletins that are 
shared across the wider prison estate. 

Thank you again for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this response provides 
assurance that action is being taken to address this matter. 

Yours sincerely, 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Director General of Operations

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