Call for review after first inmate death at new jail

HMP Fosse Way opened in 2023

An ombudsman has raised concerns over the way checks on prisoners are carried out at a privately-run jail after an inmate hanged himself in his cell.

Ashley Ferrie died at HMP Fosse Way, in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, on 13 February 2024.

The 35-year-old, from Coventry, was the first prisoner to die at the Category C jail, operated by Serco, which opened in 2023.

A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher, published on Thursday, said another prisoner found Ferrie hanging from his cell door a few minutes after a prison officer had unlocked the door but not looked inside.

The report also raised concerns about the design of cell doors at the prison.

It said: "Despite the cell doors at Fosse Way having been designed to be anti-ligature [so that a ligature would be very difficult to attach], Mr Ferrie was found hanging from his cell door."

In his report findings, Mr Usher said the HMP Fosse Way's director should review the jail's local instructions on roll checks, unlocking and welfare checks.

He also said Serco should work with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to establish whether design changes to cell doors are needed and review the frequency with which they are maintained.

HMP Fosse Way has about 1,700 prisoners

An inquest, earlier this month, concluded Ferrie died by suicide.

A Serco spokesperson said: "Any death in a prison is a tragedy.

"We have already made improvements relating to welfare checks and roll counts and we are also looking to see what other lessons are to be learnt following the conclusion of the recent inquest."

A MoJ spokesperson told the BBC the recommendations were a matter for the company.

Ferrie, who was serving an eight-year prison term for drugs offences, was transferred to HMP Fosse Way from HMP Olney, in Northamptonshire, in September 2023.

The report said Ferrie had a history of alcohol and drug misuse along with mental health issues.

The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides healthcare to Fosse Way's inmates.

The report said a clinical reviewer identified no concerns with the mental health care provided to Ferrie.

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