Robert Richards

Between the 23rd of May 2017 and 2nd June 2017, evidence was heard before a jury touching the death of Mr Robert John Richards: Mr Richards had died whilst an inmate at Wandsworth Prison on 29"h 2014. He was 22 years old at the time of his death: The findings of the jury were as follows: Medical Cause of Death (a) Hanging How, when and where and in what circumstances the deceased came by his death: On 29/7/2014 at 8.58 am, Robert Richards was found hanging by a sheet from a window in his cell in HMP Wandsworth. He received medical attention and resuscitation in his cell at 9.02 am: He was transferred by LAS to ICU of St George's Hospital, Tooting: He was recognised as life extinct at 21.50 the same day: July

Conclusion as to the death The jury concluded that Robert John Richards died on 29.7.2014 at 21.50 as a result of suicide by a bed sheet to suspend himself by the neck. No other person was involved. This act led to and caused his death_ The following factors contributed to his death: Bullying: The failure of HMP Wandsworth to manage and identify bullying within prisoners and processes (ACCT, TASA Victim Support) did have a contribution to the death of Robert Richards. The unsuitable management of ACCT, specifically around the time of sentencing did contribute to the death of Robert Richards. The failure to prevent inheritance of debt and extortion of prisoner funds may have contributed to Robert Richards s death. Intelligence: the failure of HMP Wandsworth to utilise and communicate intelligence information to prison officers may have contributed to the death of Robert Richards. Training: The insufficient medical training in prison staff may have contributed to the death of Robert Richards The lack of training on ACCT and other processes for prison staff resulted in documents not completed effectively. Medical: The insufficiently equipped medical staff at HMP Wandsworth contributed to the admitted failings in the attempted resuscitation. This refers to Lack of use of a valve Empty oxygen cylinder (3) Lack of pads for the defibrillator These shortcomings however were not causative of the death: Resources: The reduced staffing levels due to cuts impacted on the ability of prison staff to deliver effectively their care and responsibilities towards prisoners. This results in increased time restraints to complete processes such as ACCT, TASA Victim Support_

Mr Richards died whilst an inmate in the Vulnerable Prisoners unit at Wandsworth: He was there awaiting sentencing for a violent sexual offence .He was regarded by most witnesses as seeming much younger than his chronological age and vulnerable. He had been housed with another sex offender who had past convictions involving the abuse of young men: This man went on to abuse Mr Richard's and then hanged himself probably due to bullying and extortion. (The inquest touching this death is due to be heard:) Following the death of his cellmate, evidence suggested that Mr Richards "inherited "his ex-cellmate's debt was being bullied. In many ways the extensive findings of the jury in this speak for themselves. There were admitted in resuscitation as documented above_ using being bag and and failings

The evidence was that the system in place to manage bullying in the Prison; TASA, was simply hardly being used throughout the prison as a whole and was not used effectively in this case, despite multiple evidenced situations when it should have been considered at least: These situations included complaints made by Mr Richards of sexual and physical assault and being bullied to carry a mobile phone in his rectum. ACCT was also not effectively applied when it was put in place by the staff, and was not used in situations when it should have been, such as just before he was due to be sentenced Many of those who gave evidence referred to a shortage of staff impacting on their ability to work effectively and appropriately and that even fewer staff are rostered to work now than at the time of Mr Richards's death. Evidence was taken that vulnerable prisoners on the were mixed with those less vulnerable and that bullying was rife. At times prisoners from other wings walked through the wing to access other prison areas_ Although bullying was well known, it was not effectively managed with failures in intelligence gathering and dissemination to staff, failures in control of known bullies, and failure to appropriately protect Mr Richards and manage his risk of self-harm. There were failures in effective communication at all levels

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you [ANDIOR your organisation] have the power to take such action. It is for each addressee to respond to matters relevant to them