Sean Plumstead
9 Aug 2017 · Coroner Grahame Short · Hampshire (Central)
The coroner's concerns
1. telephone recordings and transcripts omitted potential evidence
“Winchester Prison has been unable to produce the telephone recordings and the transcripts provided are in summary form only and so may omit potential evidence. The systems in place for proper storage of such material appear to be inadequate or non-existent.”
2. staff interview recordings and transcripts not prepared
“Winchester Prison has been unable to produce recordings of the interviews of staff and it has been stated that due to resourcing constraints written transcripts of some of the interviews were not prepared. It is uncertain whether the relevant assistant governor will be able to give live evidence of the results of her investigation and one of the officers involved is on long term absence. The systems in place for proper storage of such electronic material appear to be inadequate and the administrative”
3. mislaid or missing documents or electronic material
“This is not the first death in custody at Winchester Prison where potentially important documents or electronic material has been mislaid or not found because they have not been retained with specific prisoner records. There is therefore a risk that future deaths at the prison occur when such omissions are repeated.”