Teenage Prisoner Found Hanged In Wigan

A teenager in prison has died after being found hanging in his cell at a prison in Wigan

 Jake Hardy, who was serving six months detention for affray and common assault, was found at Hindley young offender’s institution on Friday and taken to hospital, where he died Tuesday morning.

He was thought to be a potential suicide or self harm risk.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "Staff attempted resuscitation, paramedics attended and he was taken to outside hospital but was pronounced dead at 8.05am on Tuesday January 24th.

"As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) will conduct an investigation.

A PPO spokesman added: "The investigation will identify lessons to be learned to prevent similar deaths of young people

"If failings are found, recommendations for improvements are made.

He went on: "The PPO will involve Jake Hardy's family in the investigation if they wish to be involved

"The investigation will try to provide answers to family and friends about what happened.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Every death in custody is a tragedy, but particularly that of a child.

"That this death occurred at Hindley prison is also concerning, not least because it is the largest child jail in the whole of Europe.

"Young people have been in touch with us who were detained at Hindley"