24 Mar 2026 Ronald William MEIKLE · Prevention of Future Deaths report Milton Keynes
View report summary
Concerns raised 16 Weak supervision and staff-prisoner engagement View source Failure to maintain a clear and current drug under the influence policy View source Delays or insufficiency in psychiatric assessment and proactive mental health review View source Failure to recognise suspected synthetic cannabinoid intoxication promptly during collapse response View source Insufficient staffing capacity View source Restricted prison regimes View source Insufficiently robust identification and management of prisoners remaining behind their door because of vulnerability View source Inadequate welfare observations View source Inconsistent identification, assessment, monitoring and response to prisoners under the influence of illicit substances View source Failure to escalate prisoners with cumulative vulnerability indicators into safer custody procedures View source Availability of illicit substances in custody View source Failure to reliably consolidate and share relevant prisoner risk information View source Failure to maintain unobstructed observation panels for effective visual welfare checks View source Delays in supplying material information relevant to death investigations and future-death prevention View source Failure to implement sufficient and sustained remedial action on identified prison safety concerns View source Failure to recognise IPP status as a material vulnerability requiring structured support and review View source See 13 more concerns
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
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AI-generated summary
Ronald William MEIKLE · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Ronald William Meikle was found unresponsive in his single-occupancy cell at HMP Woodhill on 30 April 2024 and was pronounced dead at 09:43. The report identified concerns about illicit substances, inconsistent responses to suspected intoxication, fragmented information-sharing, inadequate welfare observations, management of self-isolation and vulnerability, absence of ACCT proceedings, mental-health input, emergency response, staffing, and recurring systemic problems at the prison.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Weak supervision and staff-prisoner engagement
Wider context from the report “Concern 10: Staffing, supervision and regime limitations
The evidence before the court, including wider inspection material, raised concern that staffing pressures, weak supervision, poor staff-prisoner engagement , restricted regimes, and inadequate welfare observations may materially increase the risk of undetected drug use, delayed discovery of collapsed prisoners and failure to identify vulnerable men in need of intervention.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to maintain a clear and current drug under the influence policy
Wider context from the report “Concern 2: Failure consistently to identify, record and respond to prisoners under the influence
The evidence showed concerns about the consistency with which prisoners suspected or found to be under the influence of illicit substances were identified, clinically assessed, monitored, referred to substance misuse services, and managed under prison and healthcare processes. There was evidence that episodes of apparent intoxication were not always met with a consistent healthcare response or documented follow-up. The head of service had an understanding of the drug under the influence policy that was starkly different to the written document . There had been multiple updates of the drug policy which were difficult to identify as to when the policy was updated / revised . I am concerned that prisoners at acute risk of overdose or deterioration may therefore not receive timely intervention.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays or insufficiency in psychiatric assessment and proactive mental health review
Wider context from the report “Concern 8: Delay or insufficiency in mental health and psychiatric input
The evidence raised concern that prisoners with known vulnerabilities, substance misuse history and symptoms of deteriorating mental health may not always receive timely psychiatric assessment or sufficiently proactive mental health review . Delays in specialist assessment can increase the risk of unmanaged distress, relapse to substance use and death.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to recognise suspected synthetic cannabinoid intoxication promptly during collapse response
Wider context from the report “Concern 9: Emergency response to suspected synthetic cannabinoid collapse
The evidence raised concern about whether staff responding to collapse were adequately trained and equipped to consider synthetic cannabinoid intoxication promptly as a possible cause . Synthetic cannabinoid use can cause rapid deterioration and death. If staff do not recognise that possibility, there is a risk of delay in appropriate emergency action, clinical escalation and treatment .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient staffing capacity
Wider context from the report “Concern 10: Staffing, supervision and regime limitations
The evidence before the court, including wider inspection material, raised concern that staffing pressures , weak supervision, poor staff-prisoner engagement, restricted regimes, and inadequate welfare observations may materially increase the risk of undetected drug use, delayed discovery of collapsed prisoners and failure to identify vulnerable men in need of intervention.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Restricted prison regimes
Wider context from the report “Concern 10: Staffing, supervision and regime limitations
The evidence before the court, including wider inspection material, raised concern that staffing pressures, weak supervision, poor staff-prisoner engagement, restricted regimes , and inadequate welfare observations may materially increase the risk of undetected drug use, delayed discovery of collapsed prisoners and failure to identify vulnerable men in need of intervention.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficiently robust identification and management of prisoners remaining behind their door because of vulnerability
Wider context from the report “Concern 5: Management of self-isolation, debt, fear and vulnerability
The evidence suggested that Mr Meikle had vulnerabilities connected to self-isolation, debt, fear of other prisoners, possible coercion or bullying, mental ill-health, and substance misuse. I am concerned that the systems for identifying and managing prisoners who remain behind their door because of debt, fear, vulnerability or drug-related pressures were not sufficiently robust, coordinated or escalated .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate welfare observations
Wider context from the report “Concern 10: Staffing, supervision and regime limitations
The evidence before the court, including wider inspection material, raised concern that staffing pressures, weak supervision, poor staff-prisoner engagement, restricted regimes, and inadequate welfare observations may materially increase the risk of undetected drug use, delayed discovery of collapsed prisoners and failure to identify vulnerable men in need of intervention.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inconsistent identification, assessment, monitoring and response to prisoners under the influence of illicit substances
Wider context from the report “Concern 2: Failure consistently to identify, record and respond to prisoners under the influence
The evidence showed concerns about the consistency with which prisoners suspected or found to be under the influence of illicit substances were identified, clinically assessed, monitored, referred to substance misuse services, and managed under prison and healthcare processes . There was evidence that episodes of apparent intoxication were not always met with a consistent healthcare response or documented follow-up . The head of service had an understanding of the drug under the influence policy that was starkly different to the written document. There had been multiple updates of the drug policy which were difficult to identify as to when the policy was updated / revised. I am concerned that prisoners at acute risk of overdose or deterioration may therefore not receive timely intervention.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to escalate prisoners with cumulative vulnerability indicators into safer custody procedures
Wider context from the report “Concern 6: Absence of ACCT despite identifiable indicators of vulnerability
The concern is not that ACCT documentation disclosed a missed risk factor, but that the available materials show Mr Meikle was not subject to ACCT proceedings, despite evidence shortly before death of self-isolation, debt-related vulnerability, known substance misuse and reduced engagement. This occurred in an establishment where HM Inspectorate of Prisons had already identified weaknesses in ACCT management and welfare checking during an unannounced inspection in 2023 and had issued an Urgent Notification which included reference to "frailties in ACCT case management". I later became aware of a second Urgent Notification issued in March 2026, shortly after completion of Mr Meikle's inquest that once again identified "frailties in ACCT case management". I am concerned that prisoners presenting with cumulative indicators of vulnerability may not be escalated into safer custody procedures when required , thereby increasing the risk that deteriorating welfare is not recognised or managed.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Availability of illicit substances in custody
Wider context from the report “Concern 1: Availability of illicit substances in custody
The evidence indicated that illicit drugs ████████ were readily available within HMP Woodhill . Material before the court showed this was not an isolated issue but part of a wider and continuing prison safety problem at HMP Woodhill and likely other prisons . The availability of synthetic cannabinoids in custody creates a foreseeable risk of sudden collapse, respiratory compromise, cardiac arrest, psychosis, violence, self-harm and death.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to reliably consolidate and share relevant prisoner risk information
Wider context from the report “Concern 3: Fragmented information-sharing and record keeping
The evidence demonstrated that relevant risk information was spread across multiple recording systems and was not always shared effectively between operational staff and clinical teams . This included information relevant to substance misuse, mental health, debt, bullying or coercion, self-isolation, intelligence about threats, recent presentation under the influence. Where critical safety information is held in separate systems and not reliably brought together , there is a foreseeable risk that warning signs will be missed and protective action delayed with obvious risk of harm or death.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to maintain unobstructed observation panels for effective visual welfare checks
Wider context from the report “Concern 4: Blocked observation panels and inadequate visual welfare checks
The evidence raised serious concern that blocked observation panels were not consistently challenged or cleared , and that visual welfare checks were therefore not always effective . The jury heard evidence that officers deliberately avoided opening blocked hatches to escape abuse from the prisoners then or later. In a prison environment where prisoners may be intoxicated, unconscious, self-harming, assaulted, or otherwise incapacitated behind a locked door, failure to maintain an unobstructed observation panel creates an obvious risk of late discovery and preventable death.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays in supplying material information relevant to death investigations and future-death prevention
Wider context from the report “Concern 12: Failure of state agencies to supply all information in a timely fashion.
In this Inquest I was presented with material information at the eleventh hour . Aside from being discourteous to the family and the Court such tardy provision has potential to frustrate a full investigation into the death and allow elements of care which may impact on future deaths to pass unnoticed .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to implement sufficient and sustained remedial action on identified prison safety concerns
Wider context from the report “Concern 11: Repeated systemic concerns at HMP Woodhill
Material before the court from oversight and inspection bodies demonstrated that concerns about drugs, safety, violence, self-isolation, observation panel compliance, ACCT weaknesses and welfare monitoring at HMP Woodhill had been identified over time. I am concerned that repeated identification of these issues has not resulted in sufficient or sustained remedial action , creating an ongoing risk of further deaths .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to recognise IPP status as a material vulnerability requiring structured support and review
Wider context from the report “Concern 7: Particular vulnerability of prisoners serving IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentences
The evidence showed that prisoners serving IPP sentences may experience hopelessness, chronic frustration, deterioration in mental health and increased vulnerability to substance misuse and self-neglect . I am concerned that Mr Meikle's IPP status was not sufficiently recognised as a material risk factor requiring structured support, regular review and coordinated care .
” Open source report
24 Sep 2025 Steven HART · Prevention of Future Deaths report Bedfordshire and Luton
View report summary
Concerns raised 7 Delays in addressing identified cell-safety concerns View source Failure to remove unsafe cells from use View source Failure to ensure observation panels cannot be opened from inside to create ligature opportunities View source Failure to escalate risk after incidents requiring review of observations or ligature controls View source Failure to communicate relevant risk information through handovers and records View source Failure to carry out required observations at the appropriate level and standard View source Failure to report serious self-harm incidents and trigger further assessment View source See 4 more concerns
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
Steven HART · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Steven Hart was remanded to HMP Bedford in November 2022 and, after episodes of self-harm and deterioration in his mental health, was found unresponsive in his cell on 25 March 2023 after using a ligature attached to a faulty observation panel. He was taken to hospital and died on 29 March 2023 from asphyxiation due to hanging. The principal concerns were failures in cell safety, communication and handovers, mental health assessment, and the carrying out and escalation of observations after self-harm incidents.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays in addressing identified cell-safety concerns
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk.
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm. Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately .
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state. Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift. After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol. He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer, leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts. CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all. The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials.
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to remove unsafe cells from use
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk .
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm. Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately.
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state. Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift. After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol. He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer, leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts. CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all. The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials.
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to ensure observation panels cannot be opened from inside to create ligature opportunities
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk.
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm . Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately.
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state. Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift. After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol. He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer, leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts. CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all. The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials.
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to escalate risk after incidents requiring review of observations or ligature controls
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk.
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm. Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately.
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state. Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift. After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol. He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer, leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts. CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all. The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials .
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to communicate relevant risk information through handovers and records
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk.
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm. Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately.
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state . Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift . After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol. He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer , leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts. CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all. The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials.
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to carry out required observations at the appropriate level and standard
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk.
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm. Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately.
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state. Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift. After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol. He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer, leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts . CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all . The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials.
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to report serious self-harm incidents and trigger further assessment
Wider context from the report “1. Failure to Adequately Monitor and Audit Cells for Ligature Points
Mr Hart was placed in a “safer cell” designed to have no ligature points. However, the observation panel ████████ was broken, ████████ which he was able to thread a ligature and hang himself.
Staff and witnesses confirmed that the damage to the cell door was known, and that maintenance was generally responsive, but the cell was not taken out of use despite the increased risk.
The prison’s own post-inquest review acknowledged that the design of the observation panels allowed prisoners to open them from inside, creating an opportunity for self-harm. Interim and permanent solutions were only implemented after the Inquest had commenced nearly two and a half years after Steven's death indicating a likely failure to tackle safety concerns promptly or appropriately.
2. Failure to Effectively Communicate Risk and Incidents
There was a general failure to distribute and communicate relevant observations and concerns regarding Mr Hart’s mental state. Staff often did not have time to receive handovers or read current and previous ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) documents during their shift. After a serious self-harm incident with Steven involving ████████ the officer involved failed to report the incident to OSCAR 1 (the officer in charge), as required by protocol . He simply removed the ████████ and did not conduct any further assessment or review of Steven. This failure prevented a multi-disciplinary review and possible escalation of risk management. The night shift handover on 25 March 2023 was insufficient, with lack of vital information provided to the receiving officer, leading to inadequate understanding of Mr Hart’s risk.
3. Failure to Carry Out Appropriate Observations
Observations of Mr Hart were reduced from constant supervision to four irregular checks per hour, despite ongoing risk factors and recent self-harm attempts. CCTV evidence suggested that required observations were not always carried out to the proper standard, and some checks may not have been performed at all. The officer insisted they were carried out, although CCTV evidence strongly suggested that was improbable. The jury found that the failure to call OSCAR 1 after the telephone cord incident directly impacted Mr Hart, as it possibly prevented a further ACCT review and escalation of observations or removal of ligature materials.
The death of Steven Hart was contributed to by systemic failings in cell safety, communication, and observation practices. There were, paradoxically, along-side poor practice and care, examples of exceptionally good practice by a group of officers of which several have left the prison service. There was generally a failure to implement robust systems for cell safety audits, enforce effective communication and handover protocols, and ensure strict compliance with observation requirements for vulnerable prisoners.
” Open source report
2 May 2025 Sarah Frances BOYLE · Prevention of Future Deaths report Cheshire
View report summary
Concerns raised 8 Failure to respond reliably to expressions of self harm or suicidality View source ACCT observations failing to provide therapeutic support View source Insufficient mental health input for women not case loaded to the mental health team View source Delays in transferring women requiring mental health inpatient treatment View source Insufficient staffing capacity to complete ACCT checks and documentation View source Inconsistent completion of the ACCT process View source Insufficient mental health team capacity for women awaiting assessment or inpatient beds View source Insufficient mental health training and time for prison officers conducting meaningful ACCT conversations View source See 5 more concerns
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AI-generated summary
Sarah Frances BOYLE · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Sarah Boyle was detained at HMP Styal and was monitored under the ACCT process after expressing thoughts of self-harm or suicide and making several ligature attempts. On 14 July 2024, she was found with a ligature around her neck, suffered irreversible brain damage, and died in hospital on 20 July 2024. The report raises concerns that the ACCT process at HMP Styal was not working effectively, citing high levels of self-harm, complex mental-health needs, understaffing, missed checks, and inconsistent completion of the process.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to respond reliably to expressions of self harm or suicidality
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed ;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation ACCT observations failing to provide therapeutic support
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming . Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient mental health input for women not case loaded to the mental health team
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best , and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays in transferring women requiring mental health inpatient treatment
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team . The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient staffing capacity to complete ACCT checks and documentation
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime . It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed ;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inconsistent completion of the ACCT process
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process ”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient mental health team capacity for women awaiting assessment or inpatient beds
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do . It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient mental health training and time for prison officers conducting meaningful ACCT conversations
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that the ACCT process or system currently in place designed to keep women safe at HMP Styal is not working effectively, and that there is a risk of future deaths if the process is not reconsidered or amended to better suit the needs of this prison. The ACCT process allows for observations of a woman who is at risk of self harm or suicide to keep her safe, but these are not a therapeutic observation and are essentially a check to ensure that the woman is alive and not actively self harming. Mental health input, if a woman is not case loaded to the mental health team, can be minimal, limited to attendance at a case review at best, and this does not allow for an opportunity to improve the woman’s mental health, to reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. Care plans allowing for meaningful activity assist but their effectiveness is limited alongside the prison regime. I acknowledge that prison is not intended to be a therapeutic environment but given the number of women with mental health needs, I am concerned that the current environment or processes will give rise to a risk of future deaths.
My concerns are based on the following points which I heard in evidence:
• HMP Styal is a women’s prison with a high number of self inflicted deaths, compared to the rest of the female estate. I am told by the prison ombudsman that they have the highest number of deaths between January 2022 and January 2025, accounting on my calculation for almost half of the total deaths in the female estate across England. I am aware that there has been one self inflicted death this year to date, and we are only 4 months in;
• I heard evidence from the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal and the Service Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT, who provide the mental health care in the prison, that the mental health needs of the women detained at Styal are high and can be complex. The latter explained that they receive women from court who have been sent to prison following a criminal act but are essentially awaiting assessment to see whether they should be detained in prison, or in a mental health hospital. The mental health team is then expected to care for the woman for the prolonged period of assessment and awaiting a bed if deemed necessary, something they are not set up to do. It was the view of this witness that Styal was receiving a number of prisoners who are complex and risky and require treatment in a mental health hospital. The process for transfer then takes time and is an additional pressure on the team. The powers of a mental health team in prison are far more restricted, for example, they cannot force medication if needed, and it is reliant on the engagement of prisoners which they frequently do not get. The mental health Trust confirmed that in 2025 to date (29.4.25), 11 prisoners have been referred for a Mental Health Act assessment and of these 11, 8 were accepted for transfer and treatment in a mental health inpatient setting;
• It was the evidence of the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality that they also receive women who are there for a ‘warrant of concern’. A ‘warrant of concern’ is where a woman attends court and is not sentenced at that point but remanded into prison custody due to the Judge having concerns that they are not safe to be released into the community and where it is perceived that they will be safer in custody. This is usually where there are concerns around the woman’s mental health and/or risk to self. This adds pressure on an already stretched resource level in prisons as more resources are generally required to manage such complex individuals; Prison data suggests that HMP Styal have received 7 women on ‘warrants of concern’ since November 2024 to date (April 2025);
• I heard from one witness that a ‘good day’ on one side of the wing would just be one incident of self harm, but there would be frequently multiple incidents;
• The number of number of self harm incidents and ACCT documents open appears to have hardened the prison team to expressions of self harm etc. I heard comments throughout the inquest such as “If I opened an ACCT on every woman who said she was suicidal we’d have loads open”, and “2 incidents of self harm in a morning for one prisoner might seem like a lot but it’s not in the context of Styal”. This may lead to key cases being missed;
• The number of ACCTs open within the prison can be high given the mental health need. I have heard evidence from a number of witnesses as to the pressures that the ACCT process places on staff, primarily due to the high number compared to staffing numbers. The severity of this varied in evidence depending seemingly on whether the member of staff was still with the prison service or had left. The clear consensus however was that the carrying out of ACCT checks, meaningful conversations and documentation of this was difficult whilst also trying to manage the day to day regime. It was accepted by the Head of Safer Prisons and Equality at HMP Styal that the officer on duty on the day of Sarah’s death would have been responsible for 48 checks an hour, and that was not unusual. Evidence from one witness, who has since left the prison, was that as a result of the number of checks required, and the limited resource to do them, checks were frequently missed;
• Meaningful conversations, designed to find out how the person is feeling and check in with them, are being carried out by prison officers with very limited mental health training, with very limited time resource to do this. Mental health training is not mandatory for the officers and can be overlooked due to more pressing, mandatory training.
The jury findings record “Understaffing and a high number of ACCT documents at HMP Styal led to inconsistencies with how staff completed each part of the ACCT process”.
In addition to the evidence heard from the witnesses, I am mindful of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (Time to care: what helps women cope in prison February 2025) which notes that the rate of self harm among women in prison is now 8.5 times higher than in men’s jails, and highlights a number of issues which continue to this, which have been reflected in this inquest.
” Open source report
3 Dec 2024 Paul Martin GOBELL · Prevention of Future Deaths report Nottinghamshire
View report summary
Concerns raised 4 Lack of arrangements for welfare checks when the First Night Interview cannot take place View source Failure to obtain Probation input for Open Conditions Suitability Assessments View source Failure to communicate changes in cell sharing risk promptly to prisoners View source Failure to report prisoner disclosures to the Offender Management Unit View source See 1 more concern
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
Paul Martin GOBELL · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
The supplied text does not describe the circumstances or date of Paul Martin Gobell’s death. It raises concerns about the absence of a welfare check and ACCT after a First Night Interview was missed, communication about cell-sharing risk, and the lack of Probation input into an assessment of his suitability for open conditions.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of arrangements for welfare checks when the First Night Interview cannot take place
Wider context from the report “1. Paul Gobell was serving a life sentence for rape. He had served fifteen years in a closed prison, most recently at HMP Prison, Whatton. In August 2021, he was deemed by the Parole Board to be suitable for a move to open conditions and was therefore transferred to HM Prison Hollesley Bay on 20/10/21. He was there for just two and a half weeks. Within a few hours of his return to HM Prison, Whatton on 04/11/21 he was subject to a Control & Restraint incident. His behaviour at this time was reported to be refractory and aggressive. During the incident he received a soft tissue injury which necessitated a trip to the A&E department at the local hospital. As a result, the usual First Night Interview did not take place that evening, nor on the following day. As a result there was no welfare check and no ACCT was opened. There is no national or local policy in place stating what arrangements should be made to carry out a welfare check when, for operational reasons, the First Night Interview cannot take place.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to obtain Probation input for Open Conditions Suitability Assessments
Wider context from the report “3. Whilst at HM Prison, Hollesley Bay, Paul Gobell rang the Probation Officer (who had dealt with his Parole Board hearing in August 2021) and told her that he felt he was a poor fit in open conditions, that the environment there was hostile and unpleasant and that he had let slip to another prisoner that he was serving a term of imprisonment for offences of a sexual nature. The Probation Officer concerned did not see fit to report these disclosures to the Offender Management Unit. An Open Conditions Suitability Assessment ('OCSA') was subsequently held at HM Prison, Hollesley Bay on 02/11/24, after Mr. Gobell spoke to an Orderly Officer and asked to be returned to HM Prison, Whatton. Despite the multi-disciplinary nature of the OCSA, no input was obtained or requested from Probation staff at HM Prison, Hollesley Bay or elsewhere. Had the relevant Probation staff been involved this would have better informed the OCSA and steps could have been taken to offer Mr Gobell additional support, designed to encourage him to remain in the open conditions of a 'D' category prison rather than taking the regressive step of being returned to closed conditions. Consideration should be given to imposing a requirement that the input of Probation (both from the Offender Management Unit and outside) is obtained whenever a OCSA is undertaken.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to communicate changes in cell sharing risk promptly to prisoners
Wider context from the report “2. Paul Gobell was assessed as being suitable to share a cell in June 2021, having previously been considered high risk. He was not informed off this change until immediately prior to the C&R incident on 04/11/21 and had never had to share a cell before. The Cell Sharing Risk Assessment carried out by Healthcare and Reception staff upon his return to HM Prison, Whatton on 04/11/21 deemed him to be a standard risk. He felt that he should have been designated as high risk. He was concerned for the safety of whoever he might be required to share a cell with, due to the fact that he (Gobell) suffered from paraomnia. Despite protesting to staff, he was told that he would have to share and it was this that sparked the incident leading to the use of control and restraint techniques. Had he been pre-warned of the change to his cell sharing status this incident would not have happened. Consideration should be given to ensuring that any such change of cell sharing risk is communicated promptly to the prisoner concerned.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to report prisoner disclosures to the Offender Management Unit
Wider context from the report “3. Whilst at HM Prison, Hollesley Bay, Paul Gobell rang the Probation Officer (who had dealt with his Parole Board hearing in August 2021) and told her that he felt he was a poor fit in open conditions, that the environment there was hostile and unpleasant and that he had let slip to another prisoner that he was serving a term of imprisonment for offences of a sexual nature. The Probation Officer concerned did not see fit to report these disclosures to the Offender Management Unit. An Open Conditions Suitability Assessment ('OCSA') was subsequently held at HM Prison, Hollesley Bay on 02/11/24, after Mr. Gobell spoke to an Orderly Officer and asked to be returned to HM Prison, Whatton. Despite the multi-disciplinary nature of the OCSA, no input was obtained or requested from Probation staff at HM Prison, Hollesley Bay or elsewhere. Had the relevant Probation staff been involved this would have better informed the OCSA and steps could have been taken to offer Mr Gobell additional support, designed to encourage him to remain in the open conditions of a 'D' category prison rather than taking the regressive step of being returned to closed conditions. Consideration should be given to imposing a requirement that the input of Probation (both from the Offender Management Unit and outside) is obtained whenever a OCSA is undertaken.
” Open source report
25 Aug 2023 Stephen Weatherley · Prevention of Future Deaths report Inner South London
View report summary
Concerns raised 3 Absence of written guidance for suspected drug swallow assessment, referral and monitoring View source Inadequate MOJ oversight and monitoring of recording and retention of data View source Failure to maintain and retain complete contemporaneous records and documents View source
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
Stephen Weatherley · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Stephen Weatherley died at HMP Thameside from the toxic effects of cocaine and methadone after swallowing a package containing a drug during a prison visit. The report identifies concerns about the visitor being allowed an open visit, inadequate investigation and monitoring after the visit, poor record keeping and data retention, and the absence of written guidance for suspected drug swallows.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Absence of written guidance for suspected drug swallow assessment, referral and monitoring
Wider context from the report “Absence of a written policy at HMP Thameside if there is a suspected drug swallow.
15. In 2018, there was no written policy as to what should occur where there may have been a drugs swallow but it had not been seen immediately by staff or on CCTV. That remains the case.
16. In SW’s case, the body scanner had not been installed in 2018 and following a search of SW and review of the CCTV he was returned to the wing (and not taken CSU or healthcare). The jury found that there was insufficient investigation after the visit and a lack of implementation of precautionary measures.
17. I was informed by HMP Thameside on 12th June 2023, that in a similar situation the prisoner would now be scanned using the body scanner. If the prisoner had concealed an item in a bodily orifice he would be taken to CSU. If he had swallowed an item, he would be taken to Healthcare. I was told this is standard practice but is not written down. Further, if a prisoner refused a scan, he would be taken to CSU. The management of the prisoner in CSU would be the subject of an algorithm deployed by Healthcare, which then produced guidance as to monitoring. There would be liaison between Healthcare and CSU to ensure the prisoner was appropriately monitored.
18. At present the system relies upon good communications/decision making between healthcare and discipline staff and individual judgement.
19. I remain concerned as to the absence of written guidance for officers and the risk that if they are not aware of the above “informal” guidance, a prisoner may not be taken to the correct location (CSU or Healthcare) and/or there may not be appropriate monitoring . I appreciate that each situation is fact specific and drafting written guidance may be difficult.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate MOJ oversight and monitoring of recording and retention of data
Wider context from the report “Data recording and retention in HMP Thameside/oversight by MOJ
1. Key documents around decision making by Serco officers in respect of open/closed visits for SW were lost.
2. Record keeping of key events on 23rd and 24th February 2018 was not properly completed by Serco officers on the central system for recording, operated by the MOJ (“PNOMIS”).
3. There were only 3 entries on SW’s PNOMIS record in the 5 months he was at HMP Thameside.
4. The PPO investigator encountered delays in obtaining documents, unclear and incomplete records from HMP Thameside. The decision making around closed visits/reviews was requested by the PPO in September 2018 and had not been provided at the time the PPO report in April 2019, which pre-dated the electronic migration of data in October 2020 (see below).
5. Solicitors representing HMP Thameside informed me on 30 March 2023 that the prison was unable to adduce the 2018 versions of the local standard operating procedures in place at the time of SW’s death (i.e re visits procedures) due to a large IT migration which took place around 18 months prior (October 2020), which resulted in the loss of some historical data saved on their systems.
6. I subsequently requested the underlying decision making around closed visits/review (as I had the PPO before me) and was informed that these documents were no longer available, also lost in the electronic migration.
7. I was then informed (during the Inquest), that material may have been lost due to officers storing it on local desktop computers and not uploading it to the main system.
8. Having expressed concerns about record-keeping and data retention, I heard PFD evidence on 12th June 2023 about a limited internal audit of PNOMIS which revealed concerns over 15% of the records reviewed. I heard evidence that contract managers oversee the contract between the MOJ and Serco, reporting monthly on contract delivery indicators. They do not conduct specific checks on PNOMIS record keeping/audits of the same.
9. I also heard evidence on 12th June 2023 that there remain two systems for record keeping, the Serco system, CMS and the national MOJ system, PNOMIS. CMS requires a layer of officer input (uploading and/or printing off) to ensure retention and distribution. A notice to staff dated 23rd June 2023 reminded them to upload material to CMS.
10. A witness statement from the director of HMP Thameside dated 26th June 2023 further explained the contractual relationship between the MOJ and Serco including the 28 contract delivery indicators. There is also a contractual requirement to ensure compliance with Prison Service Instructions (PSIs) which include PSI 04/2018 which relates to records, information management and retention policy.
11. In this witness statement, the director stated that he had instructed the Serco Assurance Team (independent of the prison team) to conduct a widespread audit of the PNOMIS and Death in Custody files, which will be completed by September 2023. Whilst I am reassured that an independent audit is being conducted, the results are not currently available. SW died in 2018 and the audit was not initiated until June 2023.
12. I accept that there have been improvements. However, given the extent and impact of the deficiencies outlined above, I remain concerned as to whether systems (for both record keeping and retention) have improved sufficiently since 2018.
13. I am also concerned as to the level of oversight and monitoring by the MOJ (having subcontracted to Serco) of recording and retention of data , given that key data was lost, key records were not maintained and the PPO was not provided with documents requested.
14. If key documents are not available/incidents are not recorded contemporaneously, then the PPO and the Inquest process is frustrated. It is more difficult to identify deficiencies and prevent future deaths. Further, if communications are not recorded, there is a risk that relevant factors are not considered when officers are making potentially life-impacting decisions.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to maintain and retain complete contemporaneous records and documents
Wider context from the report “Data recording and retention in HMP Thameside/oversight by MOJ
1. Key documents around decision making by Serco officers in respect of open/closed visits for SW were lost.
2. Record keeping of key events on 23rd and 24th February 2018 was not properly completed by Serco officers on the central system for recording, operated by the MOJ (“PNOMIS”).
3. There were only 3 entries on SW’s PNOMIS record in the 5 months he was at HMP Thameside.
4. The PPO investigator encountered delays in obtaining documents, unclear and incomplete records from HMP Thameside. The decision making around closed visits/reviews was requested by the PPO in September 2018 and had not been provided at the time the PPO report in April 2019, which pre-dated the electronic migration of data in October 2020 (see below).
5. Solicitors representing HMP Thameside informed me on 30 March 2023 that the prison was unable to adduce the 2018 versions of the local standard operating procedures in place at the time of SW’s death (i.e re visits procedures) due to a large IT migration which took place around 18 months prior (October 2020), which resulted in the loss of some historical data saved on their systems.
6. I subsequently requested the underlying decision making around closed visits/review (as I had the PPO before me) and was informed that these documents were no longer available, also lost in the electronic migration.
7. I was then informed (during the Inquest), that material may have been lost due to officers storing it on local desktop computers and not uploading it to the main system.
8. Having expressed concerns about record-keeping and data retention, I heard PFD evidence on 12th June 2023 about a limited internal audit of PNOMIS which revealed concerns over 15% of the records reviewed. I heard evidence that contract managers oversee the contract between the MOJ and Serco, reporting monthly on contract delivery indicators. They do not conduct specific checks on PNOMIS record keeping/audits of the same.
9. I also heard evidence on 12th June 2023 that there remain two systems for record keeping, the Serco system, CMS and the national MOJ system, PNOMIS. CMS requires a layer of officer input (uploading and/or printing off) to ensure retention and distribution. A notice to staff dated 23rd June 2023 reminded them to upload material to CMS.
10. A witness statement from the director of HMP Thameside dated 26th June 2023 further explained the contractual relationship between the MOJ and Serco including the 28 contract delivery indicators. There is also a contractual requirement to ensure compliance with Prison Service Instructions (PSIs) which include PSI 04/2018 which relates to records, information management and retention policy.
11. In this witness statement, the director stated that he had instructed the Serco Assurance Team (independent of the prison team) to conduct a widespread audit of the PNOMIS and Death in Custody files, which will be completed by September 2023. Whilst I am reassured that an independent audit is being conducted, the results are not currently available. SW died in 2018 and the audit was not initiated until June 2023.
12. I accept that there have been improvements. However, given the extent and impact of the deficiencies outlined above, I remain concerned as to whether systems (for both record keeping and retention) have improved sufficiently since 2018.
13. I am also concerned as to the level of oversight and monitoring by the MOJ (having subcontracted to Serco) of recording and retention of data, given that key data was lost, key records were not maintained and the PPO was not provided with documents requested.
14. If key documents are not available/incidents are not recorded contemporaneously, then the PPO and the Inquest process is frustrated. It is more difficult to identify deficiencies and prevent future deaths. Further, if communications are not recorded , there is a risk that relevant factors are not considered when officers are making potentially life-impacting decisions.
” Open source report
Concerns raised 3 Failure to accurately record ACCT observations in the ACCT document View source Failure to carry out required ACCT observations for vulnerable prisoners View source Inadequate and insufficiently repeated ACCT training for prison officers View source
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
Daniel AKAM · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Daniel Akam, a vulnerable prisoner with a history of depression, self-harm, low mood and anxiety, was found unresponsive in his cell with a rope ligature around his neck and was declared deceased. The report identified concerns about an inadequate final ACCT review, missed and inaccurately recorded observations, and inadequate ACCT training for prison officers.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to accurately record ACCT observations in the ACCT document
Wider context from the report “Failure to carry out ACCT observations recorded in the ACCT log
(1) CCTV evidence in the inquest established that 18 observations on Mr Akam were not carried out.
(2) The same 18 missed observations were recorded in the ACCT document as having been carried out, when they had not been .
(3) Five different prison officers purportedly signed various of these entries .
(4) Whilst the above missed observations occurred 24 hours prior to Daniel Akam’s death and were not contributory, the purpose of ACCT observations is to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm in a vulnerable prisoner. If necessary observations are missed, the risk of suicide and self-harm amongst vulnerable prisoners will likely increase.
(5) The fact that the five separate officers did not carry out observations, when they recorded that they did , indicates that the problem is systemic.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to carry out required ACCT observations for vulnerable prisoners
Wider context from the report “Failure to carry out ACCT observations recorded in the ACCT log
(1) CCTV evidence in the inquest established that 18 observations on Mr Akam were not carried out .
(2) The same 18 missed observations were recorded in the ACCT document as having been carried out, when they had not been.
(3) Five different prison officers purportedly signed various of these entries.
(4) Whilst the above missed observations occurred 24 hours prior to Daniel Akam’s death and were not contributory, the purpose of ACCT observations is to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm in a vulnerable prisoner . If necessary observations are missed, the risk of suicide and self-harm amongst vulnerable prisoners will likely increase .
(5) The fact that the five separate officers did not carry out observations , when they recorded that they did, indicates that the problem is systemic.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate and insufficiently repeated ACCT training for prison officers
Wider context from the report “ACCT training for prison officers
(6) In addition, the evidence revealed that the prison officers did not appear to know what their own obligations and responsibilities were in relation to the ACCT procedure and processes . The general evidential picture was that of inadequate ACCT training for officers , who universally indicated that it would be helpful to have refresher training.
(7) Unless adequate and repeated ACCT training is provided for all officers, particularly for those junior and more inexperienced officers , the lives of vulnerable prisoners will not be safeguarded in accordance with the purpose of the ACCT procedure.
” Open source report
10 Jan 2019 Natasha Learline CHIN · Prevention of Future Deaths report Surrey
View report summary
Concerns raised 12 Lack of audit of opiate and alcohol withdrawal observations View source Inadequate training on opiate and alcohol withdrawal signs and dangers View source Failure to make datix referrals for missed medications View source Unclear governance for non-administration of prescribed medication View source Unclear and incomplete protocols for opiate and alcohol withdrawal View source Lack of audit of on-time administration of critical medication View source Lack of verification that medication safety matters have been adequately addressed View source Inadequate training of clinical staff in completing withdrawal scales View source Lack of audit of nurse prescribing and pre-prescription record checks View source Lack of audit of medical-record accuracy on System 1 View source Lack of follow-up and recording of prescribed medication non-attendance View source Lack of medication information sharing with discipline staff View source See 9 more concerns
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
Natasha Learline CHIN · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Natasha Learline Chin died in her cell at HMP Bronzefield on 19 July 2016 after profuse vomiting associated with undertreated opiate and alcohol withdrawal. The report identified concerns about delayed medication, inadequate monitoring and escalation, failures in record-keeping and governance, and insufficient auditing and training.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of audit of opiate and alcohol withdrawal observations
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate training on opiate and alcohol withdrawal signs and dangers
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to make datix referrals for missed medications
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Unclear governance for non-administration of prescribed medication
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Unclear and incomplete protocols for opiate and alcohol withdrawal
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of audit of on-time administration of critical medication
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of verification that medication safety matters have been adequately addressed
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate training of clinical staff in completing withdrawal scales
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of audit of nurse prescribing and pre-prescription record checks
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of audit of medical-record accuracy on System 1
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of follow-up and recording of prescribed medication non-attendance
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of medication information sharing with discipline staff
Wider context from the report “1. The prison officer with responsibility for the wing on which Miss Chin was resident was not privy to what medication she was prescribed nor when it should be administered. There is no system in place for consent to be obtained from prisoners for this information to be shared with discipline staff.
2. The Sodexo Justice Service Protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal did not adequately mirror the National Protocols and were, in parts, unclear and difficult to comprehend.
3. Nurses failed to make any datix referrals in respect of missed medications.
4. The following matters have to date not been formally audited by Sodexo Justice Services:
i.) Whether prisoners who do not attend for prescribed medications are followed up and the reason for non-attendance is properly recorded.
ii.) Whether critical medication is administered on time.
iii.) Whether proper observations are undertaken in line with national or local protocols in respect of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
iv.) Whether medical records on System 1 are accurately recorded.
v.) Whether the Patient Guidance Directions in respect of prescribing by nurses are adhered to, and whether medical records are checked before any prescriptions are made by nurses pursuant to the directive.
5. As a consequence it is not possible for Sodexo Justice Services to know whether the matters raised in 4.(i) to (v) have been adequately addressed.
6. The response by Sodexo Justice Services to the issues identified in the report dated the 13th April 2016 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of non-administration of prescribed medication was inadequate. It does not appear that there was a clear line of governance in respect of this matter.
7. Whether there is adequate training:
i.) of discipline and clinical staff, including agency staff, to make them aware of the signs and dangers of opiate and alcohol withdrawal.
ii.) of clinical staff in respect of the completion of opiate and alcohol withdrawal scales.
” Open source report
Concerns raised 1 Lack of clarity in PSI64/2011 guidance on first case review of an ACCT assessment View source
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
John Mayhew · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
John Mayhew died at HMP Durham on 15 January 2017 from self-inflicted hanging. He had a recent history of suicide attempts and made comments concerning potential self-harm or suicide after returning to custody, but the ACCT was closed at the initial case review without a care plan. The report raised concerns about the lack of involvement of the person who initiated the ACCT and the ambiguity of the relevant PSI 64/2011 attendance requirements.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to HM Inspectorate of Prisons; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of clarity in PSI64/2011 guidance on first case review of an ACCT assessment
Wider context from the report “(1) Clarification is needed as to how to construe the part of PSI64/2011 dealing with first case review of an ACCT assessment, in particular the proviso in the words “whenever possible” as to which type of potential attendee it might apply.
(2) Consideration should be given to re-drafting this part of the PSI.
(3) Consideration might thereafter, be given, as to providing guidance on how this part of the PSI, if modified, should be applied in practice by all staff in all prisons.
” Open source report
Includes reports addressed to a minister or senior office-holder acting for this organisation.
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations