Call for more checks on inmates after sentencing

Craig Anderson and Christopher Corkill both died while inmates at the Isle of Man Prison

Prisoners should be closely monitored in the 48 hours after being sentenced, and prison health care staff should have automatic access to medical records, a coroner has said.

Deemster Graeme Cook outlined changes that should be made in a letter to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and Manx Care after inquests into the deaths of two inmates at the Isle of Man Prison.

Craig Anderson, 29, died the day after he was sentenced in November 2022, while Christopher Corkill, 46, died in February 2023.

Mr Anderson's mother, Jane Anderson, said while she welcome the changes already made, several of the suggestions should be implemented as a "matter of urgency".

Craig Anderson was found dead in his cell on the morning of 25 November 2022

Deemster Cook said while action to prevent similar deaths in future was a matter for the government bodies, there were a series of issues that should be considered following the inquests.

The deemster said prisoners should have improved access to mental health professionals, and Manx Care should implement a dedicated clinical governance lead responsible for prison healthcare.

Since the death of Craig Anderson, the prison has implemented a new system to safeguard vulnerable prisoners called Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT).

The policy in place at the time was called a Folder Five, and a jury at Mr Anderson's inquest found that there had been a "missed opportunity to render care" when it was not reopened and he was not placed on overnight observations on the day he was sentenced.

Deemster Cook said a sentencing should be considered as a "trigger point" for the policy, there should be input from a mental health professional at the opening and closing of the ACCT, and information from the documents should be made available on the prison information management systems.

Christopher Corkill was found dead in his cell on 24 February 2023

Additionally, the deemster said there should be a medication review for each prisoner's arrival and cognitive and dialectical behavioural therapies made available to prisoners where the need existed.

Regular independent reviews of the prison by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prison's should also be carried out, he said.

It was noted at the inquests that there had been three deaths at the Jurby facility in three years.

Kaan Douglas, 29, was the first to take his own life in March 2020.

Coroner Cook acknowledged that "certain improvements" had already been made by both the prison service and Manx Care.

Ms Anderson said while it was "good to see" the prison had carried out several improvements, "priority should be given" to suggestions about mental health and the provision of appropriate treatment as a "matter of urgency".

Closer monitoring of prisoners after sentencing "would have prevented" her son's death, Ms Anderson said.

"It should never have taken three prisoner’s to die in custody to highlight the catastrophic failings of Manx Care and the Prison before changes were made", she added.

The DHA and the healthcare provider have until 10 October to respond detailing any actions they intended to take relating to the report.

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