Independent public investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Bernard (Sonny) Lodge

Terms of Reference:-

1. To enquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Bernard (Sonny) Lodge at HMP Manchester on 28 August 1998 in accordance with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights drawing on

• evidence gathered in the Prison Service investigation

• additional documentary and oral evidence at the discretion of the Investigation Chair,

and to take into account the issues identified by the Investigation Chair’s Provisional List of issues dated 3 December 2007.

2. The purpose of the Investigation is:

to examine the care afforded to Mr Lodge by the Prison Service in the period leading to his death, in order to identify any deficiencies that may have had an influence on his death and to help prevent such tragedies in future.

3. The Investigation should seek to engage Mr Lodge’s family members as participants in the Investigation.

4. The Chair may make recommendations to the Director of High Security Prisons in her report in respect of the Investigation’s findings, which may include issues relating to procedures or the conduct of individuals that the Chair considers ought to be included.

5. A draft Investigation Report will be made available to the Director of High Security Prisons in the Prison Service and the representatives for Mr Lodge’s family so that any factual inaccuracies may be addressed before final publication.

6. The Investigation Report is to be presented to the Director of High Security Prisons in the Prison Service. The report will be provided to Mr Lodge’s family and become a public document.

The investigation should address in its written procedures appropriate arrangements for the handling of sensitive information such as (but not limited to) identification of vulnerable prisoners or intelligence sources.

Chair: Ms. Barbara Stow

Dates - Establishment: converted into an Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 on 23rd February 2009

Hearings: 30th September- 3rd October 2008, 10th October 2008, 19th March 2009 (closing legal submissions)s

Report: Awaited

Link to website: http://www.preventingcustodydeaths.org.uk/default/article_two_investigations/fpdc-bernard_lodge.htm

The events which caused the public concern: Bernard Joseph Lodge (known as Sonny Lodge) died at Manchester Prison on 28th August 1998. The inquest into his death was held in July 2001. The verdict was that Mr Lodge killed himself. Mr Lodge’s family argued that the inquest was insufficient to meet the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Ministry of Justice commissioned an independent investigation to examine the circumstances in which Mr. Lodge took his own life and to see whether there are lessons to be learned that might contribute to the care of prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm.

Summary of report’s recommendations: Awaited