Stephen Beadman
23 Jun 2023 · Coroner Kevin McLoughlin · West Yorkshire (Eastern)
This report repeats 1 earlier warning. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. self-harm items
“Mr [name redacted] had a history of self-harming [REDACTED]. Nonetheless, he was permitted [REDACTED] in his possession when alone in his cell.”
2. [REDACTED] items
“The issue of [REDACTED] gives rise to a foreseeable risk.”
3. similar self-harm method
“Only six weeks before the 7th April 2021 incident, another prisoner, [name redacted] had used a similar type of [REDACTED] to inflict a fatal wound to his neck. A Prevention of Future Death Report dated 21.10.22 was made in that case. A copy is attached, along with the response received from [REDACTED] dated 23.12.22.”
4. [REDACTED] items
“Evidence was taken at the Inquest in which several people working at the prison expressed support for such [REDACTED] to be withdrawn from use in the prison.”
5. [REDACTED] items
“It is acknowledged that consideration has been given within the prison service nationally to the withdrawal of [REDACTED] of this type and that this work (including various pilot projects) is ongoing. It is further acknowledged that the difficulties in identifying a workable alternative system of male grooming are considerable. This does not, however, obviate the need to remove a clear source of potential harm from those with an identified history of self-harming.”
6. insufficient psychiatric resource
“Despite this complex cohort of prisoners, the prison only has one day per week of consultant psychiatrist resource. As the professed principle is equivalence of care with the community, this seems not to be achieved, particularly having regard to the psychological make up of the prisoner population.”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“Despite this history and the known risk he was permitted under the prevailing rules at HMP Wakefield to be in possession when alone in his locked cell overnight.”
This report
“Mr [name redacted] had a history of self-harming [REDACTED]. Nonetheless, he was permitted [REDACTED] in his possession when alone in his cell.”
Responses
No published response was found on judiciary.uk.