Scott Berry

I am Miss Sarah Middleton, Assistant Coroner, for the Coroner Area of City of Kingston Upon Hull and the County of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

On 26th October 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Scott Stephen Berry aged 37 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13th October 2025. The Inquest was heard with a Jury. The narrative conclusion of the inquest was: Mr. Berry deliberately chose to suspend himself [REDACTED], but the evidence does not fully explain whether or not he intended that the outcome be fatal.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH as determined by the Jury At the time of his death, Mr. Berry had been in prison for 15 years serving an IPP with several unsuccessful parole applications. Mr. Berry had a long-standing history of mental health problems and diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The effects of these were heavily exacerbated by Mr. Berry’s’ sense of injustice regarding his IPP sentence, which he spoke about frequently to prison, healthcare and other staff. On 12th October 2023, it was Mr. Berry’s late Father’s birthday and Mr. Berry was displaying low mood and made statements about wanting to take his own life. An ACCT was appropriately opened to monitor Mr. Berry at a high frequency. Mr. Berry was checked at 18:32 and again at 18:52 at which time he was found hanging  [REDACTED] Mr. Berry was attended to by prison and healthcare staff and was successfully resuscitated after CPR. Paramedics attended and Mr. Berry was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary where he was treated by hospital staff, but due to sustaining a hypoxic brain, he died on 21st October 2023. Although, Mr. Berry was found to have [REDACTED] in his system from the blood samples taken on hospital admission, there is not enough evidence to suggest that Mr. Berry was under the influence of [REDACTED] on 12th October 2023.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: Mr Berry was one of many Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) prisoners at HMP Humber. Mr Berry was frustrated by his sentence and had little hope of being released which he voiced to a number of staff and professionals. Mr Berry had been sentenced to a tariff of 2 years and 4 months and was till in prison 15 years later. These sentences were abolished in 2012. I have had regard to the HMPPS Action Plan for those on Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences and the strategy to address the challenges faced by IPP prisoners. In evidence I heard that the Action Plan is assisting those on such sentences in the community. The numbers of prisoners on licence has fallen. However, there still remains a large number of unreleased IPP prisoners in prison. For those who remain detained in prison, some many years after their original tariff, there is still a long period for them to wait for a review. These prisoners are, in many cases, still waiting for parole board review and not all have access to Offender Delivery Programmes or therapeutic and progression units to assist them. These prisoners are suffering with their mental health and still have little hope of release. If action is not taken with regard to those still serving these sentences in prison, then there is a risk of future deaths occurring. The making of a Regulation 28 report in this regard was supported by the Safer Custody team at HMP Humber so that a considered response can be provided in relation to this matter and the concerns raised.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation has the power to take such action by ensuring thorough safeguarding reviews take place and all parties are notified of the conclusion and involved fully in the process.