Prisons and Probations Ombudsman Adrian Usher has expressed serious concern over the deaths of three men held in separate prisons, calling their treatment ‘unacceptable’.
Mr Mehrban Hussain, who was incarcerated in HMP Wormwood Scrubs, died in April 2022 from respiratory issues after having contracted Covid. An investigation found that he was not properly monitored after catching Covid, and that no proper care plan was implemented, despite Mr Hussain having suffered from poor breathing throughout his imprisonment.
In another report, Mr Usher heavily criticised HMP Northumberland for its treatment of 73-year-old Thomas Cole, who was subjected to unacceptably poor health treatment following heart surgery. In addition, Mr Cole was subjected to restraints for nearly three weeks upon his return to the prison – despite his age, immobility and health condition. He died in May 2022.
Mr Usher also criticised HMP Winchester for its failure to “follow up on the history of depression” of Thomas Goldring, who took his own life in the prison in 2022. An investigation found that he had been referred for a mental health assessment on arrival at the prison, but was never subsequently seen. For further information, click here.