Hull killer Angela Burkitt died of Covid-19 pneumonia
- Published
Angela Burkitt died in hospital of respiratory failure and Covid-19 pneumonia
A convicted murderer died with coronavirus after she refused to be shielded in prison and continued working on her wing, a report found.
Angela Burkitt, 55, died in hospital of respiratory failure and Covid-19 pneumonia in April while an inmate at HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire.
The Prison and Probation Ombudsman report said the jail should have acted sooner to safeguard inmates and staff.
The Prison Service said protecting life in prison was a priority.
Burkitt, who was jailed for life for the murder of her neighbour in 2017, had been working as a cleaner on the Holly House wing of the prison.
The report's author, Sue McAllister, said: "We are satisfied the prison offered to move Ms Burkitt to a different wing which they were using to shield vulnerable prisoners but that Ms Burkitt refused and opted to remain in her own cell, despite being advised of the risks.
"We are satisfied that Ms Burkitt was taken to hospital promptly when she became unwell.
"We consider that the prison should have required Ms Burkitt to stop working and self-isolate when she presented with one of the three major symptoms of Covid-19 [a high temperature].
"Not doing so put other prisoners and staff at risk - although it did not affect the outcome for Ms Burkitt herself."
The report recommended that the governor and head of healthcare should ensure prisoners or members of staff who developed Covid-19 symptoms follow Public Health England's guidance and self-isolate for 14 days.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Protecting the lives of those who live and work in our prisons is our priority and the steps we have taken, based on the latest advice from Public Health England, have helped save many lives."
HMP New Hall, in Flockton, Wakefield, holds up to 425 female prisoners of all categories
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- Published5 December 2017
