Another Death Due To Prone Restaint

Yet again another person has died from the use of prone restraint. Yet despite of the vast amount of evidence relating to the dangerous nature of the prone position it is still being used.

According to a BBC News report today; Police used an unsuitable level of force before the death of a schizophrenic man in custody, an inquest jury has found.

Karate expert Sean Rigg, 40, was held after a claim he had attacked passers-by in Balham, south London, in 2008. He died at Brixton police station.

Southwark Coroner’s Court heard he had not been taking his medication.

Returning a narrative verdict, jurors found police handling of the death had showed an “absence of leadership”.

Coroner Andrew Harris said: “The level of force used on Sean Rigg whilst he was restrained in the prone position at the Weir estate was unsuitable”.

The CPS said: “The evidence we have heard has left us in no doubt that Sean died as a result of the wilful neglect of those who were meant to care for him and keep him safe….”

Will a prosecution follow? Will either the Police or the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust face a Corporate Manslaugter Charge? Will anyone be prosecuted under Health and Safety Legislation? We’ll just have to wait and see.

To read the full BBC News Report go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19049173