Man died at Winchester Prison - and family still need answers

Inmate Craig Steadman, 32, died at the prison in February 2022.

His mother Shelley Steadman said the ongoing wait for the inquest into his death is “killing” her and his grandmother.

Shelley and Margaret Steadman, from Eastleigh, believe that people like Craig, who suffered from mental health issues, should not be sent to prison as they won’t get the support they need.

The mother and grandmother laid flowers outside the prison in Romsey Road on Tuesday, February 27 to mark two years since Craig died.

READ MORE: Prisoner dies while serving jail term at HMP Winchester

Flowers for Craig outside Winchester Prison (Image: Newsquest)

Shelley said: “People with mental health problems like this shouldn’t be allowed to go into prison. I want justice. I’m fighting this for Craig and to stop all the people with mental health issues coming in here. He shouldn’t be gone. Why him?

“We will be here every year no matter what. He was funny, he was always the clown and he had a heart.

“I’m hoping there are going to be answers. The waiting is absolutely killing us. I can’t bring him back, I just miss him. The inquest is going to be a long process as well but he is happier now and he is safe.”

Craig Steadman (Image: Contributed)

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Grandmother Margaret Steadman said: “I have lost my soul mate.”

The chaplain from Winchester Prison offered his support to the Steadmans when they were outside laying flowers for the two-year anniversary of Craig’s death.

Craig, who also suffered from type one diabetes, would have been 35 this year. He’d been at the prison for five weeks before he died. An outbreak of disorder was reported the same day but his death is not believed to be linked.

An inquest was supposed to be held in January but has been postponed to July.