Mr Arron Hamer · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 3rd July 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr Arron Hamer. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11th June 2026. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Hamer died as a result of Suicide whilst he was in custody at HMP Buckley Hall. His medical cause of death was 1a) Global Hypoxic Ischaemic Brain Injury as a result of hanging.

The brief circumstances are that Mr Hamer was sentenced in 2009, at the age of 17 and received a 2 ½ year tariff on an Indeterminate Public Protection sentence. He had a background of significant childhood trauma having witnessed an attempt murder at the age of 7. His family had had to be relocated as a result. He suffered significant bullying at his new school and between the ages of 7-10 he self-harmed. He was taken into care at the age of 11 and began using drugs. His offending was linked to his drug use.
Following his sentence in 2009 he remained in custody until 2022. He was then released on licence but recalled in 2023 following a positive drugs test. He had moved to HMP Buckley Hall on the 30th April 2025. He had positively engaged with a number of professionals including probation, drug and alcohol team, his keyworker and had started trauma therapy. On the 18th June 2026 he was found hanging in his cell.

Upon finding Mr Hamer the Prison Officers did not cut the ligature for nearly three minutes or commence CPR. It was thought that they panicked and were visibly distressed on finding Mr Hamer. They had undertaken their basic life support training years ago on their initial prison officer training.

(1) The Court heard there is no mandatory refresher training on basic life support for prison officers after they have conducted their initial prison officer training.

If they do the first aid at work course this has to be refreshed every three years but only certain officers do this. For the majority they do not have refresher training.