Local MP Norman Baker appeared on the floor of the Commons yesterday in a successful bid for an investigation into the recent suicide of inmate Tony Couchman at Lewes Prison.
Lib Dem Mr Baker urged the government to consider, in particular, the number of prison officers at the prison. Norman Baker's call for an investigation was accepted by Justice Minister Maria Eagle.
Lewes MP Norman Baker told the Commons:
"In the past few days there has been yet another suicide at Lewes prison. There have been far too many such cases in the past 10 years, and this seems to suggest a failure of duty of care at the prison, and a failure to deliver justice for the inmates through the courts.
"Will the Justice Secretary examine the circumstances of this particular suicide, and try to find out whether there are sufficient prison officers to handle the size of the population at that prison - and will he let me know the outcome of the investigation?"
Justice Minister Maria Eagle agreed to Mr Baker's request, stating that the death of Mr Couchman would be subject to an investigation by the prisons and probation ombudsman.
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