Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Christopher Moss

Ref: 2019-0066 Date: 26 Feb 2019 Coroner: Andrew Haigh Area: Staffordshire South Responses identified: 0 / 1 View PDF

Concerns exist regarding the availability of appropriate equipment, specifically a hooligan bar, for dealing with cell door barricade incidents in prisons, potentially delaying emergency access to inmates.

Date 26 Feb 2019
56-day deadline 28 Jul 2019 est.
Responses identified 0 of 1
State Custody related deaths Suicide (from 2015)

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
Concerns exist regarding the availability of appropriate equipment, specifically a hooligan bar, for dealing with cell door barricade incidents in prisons, potentially delaying emergency access to inmates.
View full coroner's concerns
In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows The conclusions of the investigations by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman led to a suitable action plan being implemented at HMP Featherstone in matters relating to violence reduction, discharge from mental health team and barricade incidents_ At the incident when Christopher died initially a hydraulic jack to open the cell door was summoned to the scene when the appropriate equipment was a hooligan bar (it did in fact arrive soon afterwards): am aware that there is a gradual process in the prison estate to move towards cell doors that can be opened outwards if from you: very necessary in addition to normally opening inwards_ My concern however is that for doors that are not dual opening prisons should have appropriate equipment available to deal with barricade situations. Should there be a check or audit to ensure that the correct equipment for the relevant doors are located appropriately at prisons? ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you or your organisation has the power to take such action: YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report; namely by 23.4.2019. 1, the coroner, may extend the period: Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action: Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed: COPIES and PUBLICATION have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons Irwin Mitcheli solicitors (acting for the family) , BLM solicitors (acting for Care UK) and the Government Legal Service (your solicitors). have also sent it to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman; Thompsons solicitors (acting for the Prison Officers Association) and the Independent Monitoring Board for HMP Featherstone who may find it useful or of interest: am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form_ He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest_ You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner_ 26 February 2019 Andrew Haigh HM Senior Coroner for Staffordshire (South) Coroner's Office No 1 Staffordshire Place Stafford ST16 2LP Tel No: 01785 276127 sscor@staffordshire gov uk days

Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On 21 February 2017 commenced an investigation into the death of Christopher Andrew Moss aged 51 years_ The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25 February 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was suicide with the main cause of death being haemorrhage incised injury to left wrist CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH Basic: a) Mr Christopher Andrew MOSS was a serving prisoner at HMP Featherstone who died whilst on House Unit 6 on 18th February 2017 as result of a self-inflicted incision to left wrist: Probable: b) Locked cell door and restricted view via the door observation hatch; barricading of cell door. Possible: c) Threats; state of mind

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Report details

Reference
2019-0066
Date of report
26 February 2019
Coroner
Andrew Haigh
Coroner area
Staffordshire South

Responses identified

Responses identified 0 of 1
1 response not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 28 Jul 2019 (estimated).

Sent to

MOJ

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