Families who have lost someone whilst they were in Prison often find it traumatic and difficult to deal with as they know so little of the circumstances of the death.
The family will often be informed of the death by a stranger, usually a minister from the Prison, and are often left bemused as to the details of the death, with little or no access to information.
The Inquest team at Farleys are experienced in dealing with the Prison Service and have detailed knowledge of the procedure following a death in custody.
If you have experienced the loss of a loved one whilst they were in prison, a member of our Inquest team will offer you advice and assistance and, if you wish, will represent you throughout these proceedings. We will further contact the individuals concerned, that being the Prison Service, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman and the Coroner to obtain as much information as possible.
Once an Inquest solicitor from Farleys has been instructed, all future contact with the authorities will be dealt with directly through us, removing the strain of this process from you. We will keep you updated throughout the whole investigation, offering advice and assistance throughout the procedure.
This may involve a full explanation of the documentation issued by the prison, which can be difficult to understand, and a breakdown of the post-mortem report and any medical evidence. We will also advise as to whether or not you will need any independent experts to assist during the inquest.
At Farleys, we endeavour to ensure that you are kept fully updated throughout the process and understand all the steps that we take on your behalf.
At the Inquest itself, we strive to ensure that you receive the appropriate representation from an experienced Barrister who will look after your interests during the hearing.
The Inquest team at Farleys work closely with the campaigning and support group INQUEST, who provide support to bereaved families and strive to ensure that improvements are made to the inquest system.
