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Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 13 July 2007

Suicide bid left inmate suffering brain injuries

A FAILED suicide attempt left an inmate at Pentonville Prison with serious brain injuries, a public inquiry heard this week.
The prisoner, known only as Mr D for legal reasons, needs constant medical attention as a result of the bid to end his life.
A week-long inquiry by Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Stephen Shaw aimed to establish the circumstances surrounding the suicide attempt.
It also examined the management of suicidal and self-harming prisoners at the prison in Caledonian Road, Holloway, as well as the care given to Mr D before and after his suicide attempt.
Mr D, now 27, appeared before Thames Magistrates Court on November 30 2001, charged with a number of offences, including theft and possession of an offensive weapon.
By this point he already had a record of self-harming and a history of drug and alcohol dependency.
Mr D was remanded to Pentonville Prison where he self-harmed again and spent four weeks in its health care centre.
A number of times he threatened to end his life and tried to hang himself at least once.
Keith Morton, counsel for Mr Shaw, told the inquiry: “On another occasion he was found to be in possession of a razor and had created a noose from his bed.”
On December 27, 2001, Mr D was found hanging from the light fitting in his cell.
Prison guards managed to save him but he was left with serious brain injuries.
At the inquiry this week, a number of witnesses were called, including guards and Pentonville’s management.
Mr Shaw said that, “as a broad rule of thumb”, two prisoners die for every one successfully resuscitated.
Once a judgment on the case has been made in September, Mr Shaw will then present his findings to Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw.

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