Killer released after staff cited race research in assessment.

An inquiry heard that mental health staff considered research on the over-representation of young Black men when they released Valdo Calocane in May 2020, after which a resident jumped from a window; Calocane later killed three people and was given an indefinite hospital order in January 2024.

An inquiry into the actions of mental health services has opened its examination of decisions made about Valdo Calocane. Counsel to the Inquiry, Rachel Langdale KC, set out events that began with a May 2020 Mental Health Act assessment. The assessment team opted to treat Calocane in the community after they said they had considered research on the over-representation of young Black men in detention. The inquiry will examine whether those decisions and their assessment of risk were appropriate. What the inquiry heard: - The team conducting the May 2020 assessment reported that they had taken into account research showing an over-representation of young Black males in detention when reaching a decision about detention. - Shortly after his release in 2020, Calocane reportedly kicked at a resident's door, and the resident jumped from a first-floor window and suffered a serious spinal injury. - In June 2023 Calocane killed three people and attempted to kill others; he later admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder. - Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order in January 2024, and Deborah Taylor’s inquiry is scheduled to publish a report with recommendations by May 2027. Summary: The inquiry is focused on whether the Mental Health Act assessment in 2020 appropriately weighed Calocane’s needs and risks while also noting the team cited research about racial over-representation in detention. Victims' families have widely criticised the outcomes, and the inquiry will report with recommendations by May 2027.