Sheldon Jeans
25 Jul 2025 · Coroner Rachael Griffin · Dorset
This report repeats 2 earlier warnings. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. illicitly brewed alcohol (hooch)
“There is a lack of national policy, and local guidance at HMP Guys Marsh, to inform staff working in prisons of the dangers of illicitly brewed alcohol, also known as hooch. There is also a lack of policy and guidance to assist those working within the prisoner estate with the management and governance of the access to, and use of, illicitly brewed alcohol.”
2. unsecured medication in possession
“Prisoners can have access to certain medication to hold in their possession which could be accessed by other prisoners and there is a lack of national policy, and local policy at HMP Guys Marsh, from a healthcare and prison perspective, around the governance of medication held in possession in the prison estate.”
Linked reports
Identical hazardConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“lack of national guidance around the operation of in possession medication in prisons either by HMPPS or NHS England”
This report
“there is a lack of national policy, and local policy at HMP Guys Marsh, from a healthcare and prison perspective”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.85 · high
Earlier report
“(2) Prison staff did not receive a briefing about prisoners with medication in possession in accordance with PS24/2011”
This report
“(2) Prisoners can have access to certain medication to hold in their possession which could be accessed by other prisoners and there is a lack of national policy, and local policy at HMP Guys Marsh, from a healthcare and prison perspective, around the governance of medication held in possession in the prison estate.”
Responses
2025-0376-Response-from-Department-for-Health-and-Social-Care.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
2025-0376-Response-from-HM-Prison-and-Probation-Services.pdf ↗· His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service
2025-0376-Response-from-HM-Prison-Probation-Service-.pdf ↗· His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service
2025-0376-Response-from-Oxleas-NHS-Foundation-Trust.pdf ↗· Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Stated action
“we will be developing and distributing new health promotion materials to the prison population at HMP Guys Marsh, but also within the wider Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust prison portfolio. These materials will focus on: - Safe storage of prescribed medication, including the use of personal lockable safes - responsibility of HMPPS. - Proper disposal of unused or discontinued medication.”