A grieving mother has spoken of her anguish ahead of an inquest into her daughter's death. Saria Hart was pronounced dead at HMP Foston Hall - on the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border - on October 13, 2019. The 26-year-old had links to Stoke, Hanley, Penkhull and Fenton and had previously been jailed for two-and-a-half-years in 2017 for arson after setting fire to a house in Hanley when she learned her ex-partner was in a new relationship.
Now an eight-day inquest is being held in Derby.
A Daughter's Struggles
Karen Brown, Saria's mother, described her daughter as “a very sociable girl” who “loved being around people” but could also be “self-destructive.” She said Saria had a “cheeky smile” and a “big heart,” but she was “stubbornly independent” and often struggled to ask for help.
“It’s clear to me that Saria was struggling really and she tried to ask for help at HMP Foston Hall. Nobody was listening. Nobody took any notice. It breaks my heart to think about Saria begging for help and no-one listening,” Karen said.
Timeline of Events
Saria had been remanded in custody at HMP Foston Hall for seven weeks when tragedy struck. She had been arrested on August 14, 2019 and sent to HMP Foston Hall two days later. She was subject to a risk management plan due to her history of mental health issues and had threatened to self-harm at the point of her arrest. On October 4, 2019, she was found unresponsive in her cell and was taken to hospital.
The inquest heard that Saria was alleged to have assaulted members of prison staff the day before she was taken to hospital. She died nine days later in Royal Derby Hospital's intensive care unit. The cause of death was identified as hypoxic brain injury, with no injuries to suggest sustained assault or restraint. Saria's case is one of 17 deaths inside the prison in the past 20 years.
A System Under Scrutiny
The inquest, which is due to continue for eight days, will examine the circumstances surrounding Saria's death. The jury heard evidence from Foston Hall's current governor and head of healthcare, as well as from a prison officer employed at Foston Hall when Saria arrived there. The evidence will focus on the prison's health provisions for inmates, its guidance for handling mental health crises, and the care Saria received during her time in custody.
This inquest will be crucial in understanding the factors that contributed to Saria's tragic death and may shed light on the challenges faced by prisoners struggling with mental health issues. It will also provide an opportunity for Saria's family to seek answers and ensure that lessons are learned to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
A Mother's Heartbreak
Saria’s mother’s words paint a poignant picture of a young woman who was struggling with mental health issues and desperately seeking help. Her pleas for support were unfortunately overlooked, leading to a devastating loss for her family. The inquest will hopefully shed light on the systemic failures that may have contributed to her death and ultimately serve as a call for increased support and resources for prisoners facing mental health challenges.
The inquest is expected to continue for the next week, with further evidence being presented from prison staff, medical professionals, and other relevant individuals. The jury will ultimately determine the circumstances surrounding Saria's death and whether any changes to prison policies or procedures are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.
