'My daughter was treated like a feral dog in a cage'
A devastated mother has claimed her vulnerable daughter was 'treated like a feral dog' before taking her own life in prison on Christmas Eve. Alex Davies, a 25-year-old with severe borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder from sexual abuse, was found dead in a segregation cell at HMP Styal near Manchester.
An 11-day inquest at Cheshire Coroner's Court concluded that neglect contributed to her tragic death. The jury heard compelling evidence that Alex should have been placed in a mental health hospital rather than remaining in prison.
Systemic failures and cruel treatment
Alex had been kept on the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) - a form of segregation - for 27 consecutive days from November 9 to December 6, despite national guidelines explicitly stating that prisoners at risk of suicide should not be held in CSU unless exceptional circumstances exist.
Her mother, Stacie, 44, from Liverpool, spoke emotionally about her loss: "Alex was my little girl and my best friend. All she wanted was help but her situation in prison made her feel like she had no other option but to take her own life."
The circumstances leading to Alex's final hours reveal multiple failures in her care. On Christmas Eve 2024, a prison officer told Alex to "stop perving" when she attempted to speak to another inmate. This comment, the inquest found, probably contributed to the decline in her mental state.
Alex became visibly upset, ran off and was forcibly restrained before being taken to the CSU. Distressing footage shows her repeatedly telling officers "she called me a perv" and screaming "I don't want to go to this hell cell" while begging staff not to leave her there over Christmas.
Critical errors in healthcare monitoring
The Prison & Probation Ombudsman determined that force was not necessary and staff made no attempts to de-escalate the situation through conversation. Even more alarmingly, a male nurse incorrectly completed a healthcare algorithm that should have raised immediate red flags about Alex being kept in segregation.
Within five minutes of her cell door closing, Alex began attempting to self-harm. Staff responded by removing her clothing and bedding, leaving her wearing only a pair of boxer shorts while under observation by male prison officers.
Despite her persistent attempts at ligature and self-harm, she was not placed on constant watch. Officers entered her cell to remove ligature material five times, yet failed to implement the necessary safeguards that might have saved her life.
The jury identified several critical failures:
- Taking Alex to the CSU on December 24 represented a failure of care
- The decision not to place her on constant observations when she first ligatured was a failing that probably contributed to her death
- There was a gross failure to maintain constant observations while she was in the CSU
A call for prison reform
Alex's father, Allan, 45, described the inquest conclusion as "bittersweet justice". He stated: "Dying through neglect in a prison in the 21st century is truly appalling, and I hope that changes are made to prevent this from happening to somebody else."
The family was represented by specialist civil liberties lawyers throughout the proceedings. Nicola Miller, their solicitor from Broudie Jackson Canter, commented: "For a young vulnerable woman to be neglected in this way in a state prison that allowed her to take her own life is truly abominable."
She emphasised that Alex should never have been sent to prison, describing the environment as "wholly inappropriate" and noting that staff placed her in "effective solitary confinement" because they didn't know how to address her complex needs.
HMP Styal has a concerning history, with a disproportionately high number of self-inflicted deaths among its female population compared to other women's prisons. The case has raised urgent questions about how the prison system handles vulnerable inmates with severe mental health conditions.
A Prison Service spokesperson acknowledged the severity of the case, stating: "This is a deeply upsetting and harrowing case – and it is clear the care Alex received on the day of her death while at HMP/YOI Styal fell far short of basic decency and respect."
They confirmed that the prison had undertaken immediate actions following Alex's death and awaited the Prison and Probation Ombudsman's recommendations.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
