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How many more prisoners have to die in custody? How many more prisoners have to die in custody?
(4 months later)
After every death in custody where the prison service has been found to be at fault, it invariably issues a statement along the lines of: "Lessons have been learned and steps taken to ensure failings will not be repeated." Fine words, coined sincerely, no doubt, but, in practice, often meaning nothing.After every death in custody where the prison service has been found to be at fault, it invariably issues a statement along the lines of: "Lessons have been learned and steps taken to ensure failings will not be repeated." Fine words, coined sincerely, no doubt, but, in practice, often meaning nothing.
In March this year, I reported on the inquest into the death of 37-year-old James Best, who collapsed and died in Wandsworth prison, south London, in August 2011 after a strenuous workout in the prison gym. He had been remanded in custody, following the theft of a gingerbread man, during the riots that swept the country that summer.In March this year, I reported on the inquest into the death of 37-year-old James Best, who collapsed and died in Wandsworth prison, south London, in August 2011 after a strenuous workout in the prison gym. He had been remanded in custody, following the theft of a gingerbread man, during the riots that swept the country that summer.
The inquest jury heard that Best had been medically assessed as fit for the gym by an inmate, after staff failed to follow proper induction procedures. He had medical conditions – Crohn's disease, arthritis, high blood pressure and asthma – that should have barred him from heavy exercise. Such assessments were routinely carried out by prisoners, a clear breach of prison rules.The inquest jury heard that Best had been medically assessed as fit for the gym by an inmate, after staff failed to follow proper induction procedures. He had medical conditions – Crohn's disease, arthritis, high blood pressure and asthma – that should have barred him from heavy exercise. Such assessments were routinely carried out by prisoners, a clear breach of prison rules.
Following the critical verdict, a prison service spokesman said: "We will consider the findings to see what lessons can be learned, in addition to those already learned."Following the critical verdict, a prison service spokesman said: "We will consider the findings to see what lessons can be learned, in addition to those already learned."
Two weeks ago, I received a letter from Greg Smith, a remand prisoner at Wandsworth. He had read my account of the death of Best and wanted to update me on gym procedures at the jail. Smith says he had recently applied to attend the gym. Like Best, he has a medical condition, but says mild workouts do not represent a danger to him. The gym induction class Smith attended was run by officers (suggesting some lessons have been learned). He and the other prisoners were given a medical assessment form, asking whether they had any of a number of conditions. Smith says the officer, who he named, said: "If you want to come to the gym, tick all the 'No' boxes, otherwise forget it." He did as suggested and was subsequently passed fit for the gym.Two weeks ago, I received a letter from Greg Smith, a remand prisoner at Wandsworth. He had read my account of the death of Best and wanted to update me on gym procedures at the jail. Smith says he had recently applied to attend the gym. Like Best, he has a medical condition, but says mild workouts do not represent a danger to him. The gym induction class Smith attended was run by officers (suggesting some lessons have been learned). He and the other prisoners were given a medical assessment form, asking whether they had any of a number of conditions. Smith says the officer, who he named, said: "If you want to come to the gym, tick all the 'No' boxes, otherwise forget it." He did as suggested and was subsequently passed fit for the gym.
Smith says he has a heart condition requiring medication – nitroglycerin spray – which he receives from the prison's pharmacy. A simple cross check would have shown this and barred Smith from the gym. It was not undertaken. So much for lessons learned.Smith says he has a heart condition requiring medication – nitroglycerin spray – which he receives from the prison's pharmacy. A simple cross check would have shown this and barred Smith from the gym. It was not undertaken. So much for lessons learned.
Of course, the responsibility for declaring their medical conditions lay with Smith, Best (though he had mental health problems) and all the prisoners who apply to attend the gym. But that onus has to be weighed against the prevailing conditions at Wandsworth. The last inspection report, in 2011, recorded many prisoners locked up for 22 hours a day; association (mixing with other prisoners) often cancelled; and exercise in the fresh air limited to 30 minutes a day and called off in bad weather. Recent budget cuts mean the situation has worsened since that report. Small wonder, then, that, cooped up like battery hens, inmates will cover up ailments to get out of their cells for an "extra" three hours a week in the company of others. In Wandsworth, where a death occurred after prison rules were badly breached – and where 18 men have died since January 2010 – special care should be taken to ensure the mistakes are not repeated. Some of those deaths were unavoidable. Some were not.Of course, the responsibility for declaring their medical conditions lay with Smith, Best (though he had mental health problems) and all the prisoners who apply to attend the gym. But that onus has to be weighed against the prevailing conditions at Wandsworth. The last inspection report, in 2011, recorded many prisoners locked up for 22 hours a day; association (mixing with other prisoners) often cancelled; and exercise in the fresh air limited to 30 minutes a day and called off in bad weather. Recent budget cuts mean the situation has worsened since that report. Small wonder, then, that, cooped up like battery hens, inmates will cover up ailments to get out of their cells for an "extra" three hours a week in the company of others. In Wandsworth, where a death occurred after prison rules were badly breached – and where 18 men have died since January 2010 – special care should be taken to ensure the mistakes are not repeated. Some of those deaths were unavoidable. Some were not.
I have travelled down this penal road before, many times, and could list dozens of instances where mistakes have been made over and over again – from children taking their own lives, in circumstances where all the danger signs had been repeatedly flagged up, to decent officers forced out of the service by bullying staff. It is a long, depressing and seemingly neverending thoroughfare.I have travelled down this penal road before, many times, and could list dozens of instances where mistakes have been made over and over again – from children taking their own lives, in circumstances where all the danger signs had been repeatedly flagged up, to decent officers forced out of the service by bullying staff. It is a long, depressing and seemingly neverending thoroughfare.
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