An inquest has been formally opened after a Haverigg prison inmate was found dead in his cell.
Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard this morning that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman had launched an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding Nigel Keenan’s death.
Acting senior coroner for Cumbria Kirsty Gomersal said during a brief court hearing that Mr Keenan was found suspended in his cell at Cumbria’s only prison on Thursday, March 13. His death was confirmed by paramedics at 4.20am.
A post mortem examination had been carried out, and Ms Gomersal said she was offered a cause of death of hanging. Identification evidence had been provided by a prison officer.
Given the circumstances of Mr Keenan’s death, Ms Gomersal concluded that an inquest was required. She also offered her deepest condolences to Mr Keenan’s loved ones.
A coroner’s investigation had begun on March 21. However, Ms Gomersal said she was exercising her legal powers to suspend the inquest proceedings. This is pending the outcome of an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, whose website said that the probe was in progress.
Born in Castleford, West Yorkshire, Mr Keenan is understood to have been married at the time of his death, the inquest opening was told.
HMP Haverigg, near Millom, is a men’s open prison. It is classed as category D which, the Government’s official website said, had minimal security and allows eligible prisoners to spend most of their day away from the prison on licence to carry out work, education or for other resettlement purposes.
