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HMP Hewell prisoner 'set himself on fire while smoking Spice' | HMP Hewell prisoner 'set himself on fire while smoking Spice' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A prisoner died of burns injuries after accidentally setting himself on fire while smoking the so-called zombie drug Spice, a report has revealed. | A prisoner died of burns injuries after accidentally setting himself on fire while smoking the so-called zombie drug Spice, a report has revealed. |
The inmate at HMP Hewell, in Redditch, Worcestershire, "might have been saved" were it not for an "unacceptable" delay in responding to his cell bell. | The inmate at HMP Hewell, in Redditch, Worcestershire, "might have been saved" were it not for an "unacceptable" delay in responding to his cell bell. |
Details of the death were revealed in the annual report of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. | Details of the death were revealed in the annual report of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. |
A disciplinary investigation was subsequently opened. | A disciplinary investigation was subsequently opened. |
Presenting her annual report, ombudsman Sue McAllister said psychoactive substances continued to be a "serious problem" in jails. | Presenting her annual report, ombudsman Sue McAllister said psychoactive substances continued to be a "serious problem" in jails. |
The report also found self-inflicted prison deaths in England and Wales have increased by 23% in a year. | |
The Hewell prisoner, who had been jailed for robbery, had a long history of drug misuse but had "failed to engage" with the support he had been offered, the report said. | The Hewell prisoner, who had been jailed for robbery, had a long history of drug misuse but had "failed to engage" with the support he had been offered, the report said. |
In September 2018, the 31-year-old pressed his emergency cell bell and called for help but it was 16 minutes before an officer found him. | In September 2018, the 31-year-old pressed his emergency cell bell and called for help but it was 16 minutes before an officer found him. |
He was said to be conscious, but unable to comply with staff instructions, and had severe burns to most of his body. | He was said to be conscious, but unable to comply with staff instructions, and had severe burns to most of his body. |
The report found the prisoner "may not have reacted initially because he was under the influence" of the psychoactive substance. | The report found the prisoner "may not have reacted initially because he was under the influence" of the psychoactive substance. |
He died two days later. | He died two days later. |
Ms McAllister said it was a "very tragic and very distressing" case that revolved around the delay in responding to the bell. | Ms McAllister said it was a "very tragic and very distressing" case that revolved around the delay in responding to the bell. |
The report also found: | |
The report also included details of a case in which a 75-year-old inmate at Channings Wood Prison, Devon, who could walk only with a stick, was handcuffed to two prison officers while he was taken to hospital in an ambulance. | The report also included details of a case in which a 75-year-old inmate at Channings Wood Prison, Devon, who could walk only with a stick, was handcuffed to two prison officers while he was taken to hospital in an ambulance. |
The man, who was serving a sentence for sexual offences, had a pacemaker, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and had been diagnosed with a urinary infection. | The man, who was serving a sentence for sexual offences, had a pacemaker, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and had been diagnosed with a urinary infection. |
The report said the man's risk to the public was assessed as high, "but... the risk assessment also noted that he could only move short distances, used a walking stick, needed help for all his care needs and had very poor vision". | The report said the man's risk to the public was assessed as high, "but... the risk assessment also noted that he could only move short distances, used a walking stick, needed help for all his care needs and had very poor vision". |
Ms McAllister said it was one of "very many cases" in which elderly or unwell inmates were restrained, including some who were close to death. | Ms McAllister said it was one of "very many cases" in which elderly or unwell inmates were restrained, including some who were close to death. |
She said such practices were "unacceptable" and "inhumane". | She said such practices were "unacceptable" and "inhumane". |
The ombudsman would be conducting an "overarching... extraordinary" independent investigation into the death of a baby whose mother gave birth alone, at Bronzefield Prison, Surrey, she added. | The ombudsman would be conducting an "overarching... extraordinary" independent investigation into the death of a baby whose mother gave birth alone, at Bronzefield Prison, Surrey, she added. |
Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer said the government funding measures "to stop drugs which fuel violence and self-harm, improving support during the often difficult first few days in custody". | |
She also said almost 4,400 more staff had been recruited in the last three years". |