A prisoner named Jason Lee McQuoid tragically took his own life while in HMP Risley, in Warrington, on March 2, 2021. An inquest conducted by assistant coroner Charlotte Keighley at Cheshire Coroner’s Court revealed significant failures in his care.
Jason’s aunt, Joyce McQuoid, expressed deep sorrow at the conditions in which he died, describing them as inhumane. She emphasized that Jason had been left alone in a cramped, empty cell for days, crying out for help and threatening suicide. She highlighted the importance of shedding light on the treatment of prisoners and mental health institutions to drive change.
Despite Jason’s requests for mental health intervention upon his arrival at HMP Risley, no referral was made. His mental state deteriorated rapidly over a few weeks, leading to concerning behavior, including setting a fire in his cell. The inquest revealed lapses in the ACCT process, a suicide prevention procedure, and inadequate communication between prison officers and the mental health team.
Following the inquest’s findings, Alice Wood of Farleys Solicitors, representing Jason’s family, emphasized the importance of ensuring access to mental health care for individuals in prison. Jodie Anderson from the charity INQUEST highlighted the dehumanizing prison environment and the need to address the root causes of mental health issues rather than resorting to punishment.
The Prison Service acknowledged the need for improvements at HMP Risley and stated that changes have been implemented since Jason’s death, including enhanced sharing of information and adjustments to the mental health referral process.
If you are struggling with mental health issues or have been affected by the topics discussed in this article, help is available. You can reach out to Samaritans for free at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. Additionally, PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 offers confidential suicide prevention support at 0800 068 4141, via text at 88247, or by emailing pat@papyrus-uk.org. It is essential to prioritize mental health support and care for those in need.
