Luke Myers · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 08/02/2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Luke Myers, 24 . The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 17 July 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that: At 06.45 on 4/2/13 Luke Myers was found in his cell I-4-13, hanging from a bunk-bed by a ligature fashioned from a leather belt, which Luke had tied to the top rail of the bunk-bed, and had fastened the buckle end around his neck. Luke was in a single occupancy cell and should not have had the leather belt in his possession. Luke was troubled by the length of his sentence, and also a pending adjudication relating to a server incident, and these are more than likely a relevant factor in Luke putting himself in a potentially fatal position, but it is unclear as to his intentions. At the time of Luke's death he was on an open ACCT document and was observed at regular intervals throughout the day and night. Luke was last seen alive at 05.10 on 04/02/13. When Luke was found he was cut down from the bunk-beds and efforts were made to resuscitate him. These efforts were unsuccessful. Luke was pronounced dead at 07.05 on 04/02/13. At 06.45 on 4/2/13 Luke Myers was found in his cell I-4-13, hanging from a bunk-bed by a ligature fashioned from a leather belt, which Luke had tied to the top rail of the bunk-bed, and had fastened the buckle end around his neck. Luke was in a single occupancy cell and should not have had the leather belt in his possession. Luke was troubled by the length of his sentence, and also a pending adjudication relating to a server incident, and these are more than likely a relevant factor in Luke putting himself in a potentially fatal position, but it is unclear as to his intentions. At the time of Luke's death he was on an open ACCT document and was observed at regular intervals throughout the day and night. Luke was last seen alive at 05.10 on 04/02/13. When Luke was found he was cut down from the bunk-beds and efforts were made to resuscitate him. These efforts were unsuccessful. Luke was pronounced dead at 07.05 on 04/02/13.

The cause of death found was 1a. Hanging

Luke Myers was on an open ACCT process commenced on the 30/01/13. A previous ACCT was closed with a post closure interview on 22/01/15. His mother had died when he was 3 years old and he had ended up within the care system. He self-injured as a distraction. He suffered from a depressive illness and his history involved severe and multiple adversities at the more severe end of clinical practice. He was concerned about the length of his sentence as he did not want history to repeat itself with his own children growing up without a father as he had to without a mother. The prison had calculated his conditional release date as at 27/08/2021 and further that his parole eligibility date was 27/08/2018. The Court asked that the MOJ check for the correct dates and it was only during the inquest that it was confirmed that the conditional release date should have been 25/02/2017 and the parole process did not apply at all. Luke was also concerned about whether adjudication with regard to an altercation with an officer at a food servery could have resulted in added days. The adjudication was due for hearing on the day of Luke’s death 04/02/2013.

[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN]
(1) HMP Liverpool miscalculated Luke Myer's extended sentence of 12 years from November 2012 by erroneously applying Section 226A CJA 2003 and with regard to parole section 246A CJA 2003. The sentence was under section 227 CJA 2003 – Are there any other prisoners sentenced at that transitional time who believe they have a longer sentence than the law prescribed? Luke Myers tried to clarify his length of sentence during his life and it was only clarified during his inquest. The jury found this was a likely factor in his death.
(2) During the course of the inquest evidence was heard from two members of Prison discipline staff that they had last been trained in first aid respectively 10 and 6 years ago. In other circumstances this could have had an effect on the outcome. At night officers can be lone working on a wing and presumably you would agree that it would be desirable for any such officer to be first aid trained. First aid training in low hazardous work place environments is usually certified for three years before refresher requalification is needed. You consideration and plan for first aid training in prisons would be very welcome.