An inquest into the youngest person to die in a woman’s prison in 20 years will begin today
Annelise Sanderson was only 18 when she died by ligature at HMP Styal in December 2020.
Annelise’s death is one of 11 self-inflicted deaths at the prison since 2007, more than any other women’s prison in England.
Annelise grew up in Runcorn, Chesire. A tomboy from an early age, Annalise was interested in biking and playing football. A passionate, loving and forgiving person, her family said she cherished the relationships of those to whom she was closest.
Annelise had a complex history of mental ill health, self-harm and suicide attempts. She had spent time in local authority care and had experienced significant trauma.
In June 2020, shortly after turning 18, Annelise was arrested after she had been witnessed trying to drink or pour petrol on herself at a petrol station and had assaulted emergency workers who tried to intervene.
She was very unwell and was brought to A&E before being transferred to court. She was subsequently sentenced to 52 weeks in prison and was sent to HMP Styal.
Upon arrival at the prison, her behaviour was described as volatile, and she was observed acting bizarrely and threatening staff. After three days, a safety plan for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm (known as an ACCT) was put in place.
During one of her interactions with staff she was observed to have tied a ligature. Her ACCT was closed eight days later.
On 22 December 2020, a prison officer found Annelise ligatured in her cell. Staff commenced CPR and an ambulance was called. She was pronounced dead shortly after.
Deborah Coles, Director at INQUEST, said: “Deaths in HMP Styal in the early 2000’s led to Baroness Corston’s landmark review. This recommended the dismantling of women’s prisons and replacing them with community alternatives.
Here we are at the start of another inquest almost 16 years later asking the same fundamental question. Why was Annelise sent to prison in the first place?
This inquest must answer why such a vulnerable teenager died when she was supposed to be in the care of the state. Deaths in Styal prison are at a record high and two self-inflicted deaths in December raise serious questions about women’s health and safety.”
Michela Carini and Amy Ooi, at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, said: “Annelise had turned 18 just two months before being sent to HMP Styal. She was extremely vulnerable and had a history of trauma and mental ill health.
The death of someone like Annelise who was so obviously in need of support is shocking. Annelise’s family now look to the Coroner for a full and thorough investigation into what action was taken by agencies charged with her care, and whether today measures are in place to keep vulnerable young people like Annelise entering the prison estate safe.”
