Menu
06/08/2014
Prison Response To Collapsed Inmate 'Inadequate' - Ombudsman
The Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has described as "inadequate" the response by staff at Maghaberry Prison to a prisoner who collapsed in his cell and subsequently died.
46-year-old David Brown died from a brain haemorrhage at an outside hospital on 15 December 2012, while in the custody of Maghaberry Prison.
The ombudsman said toxicology tests have revealed painkillers in his system, which had been prescribed to him, and that no other common drugs were detected in his system.
"When Mr Brown was discovered in an unresponsive state in his cell, the NIPS response was inadequate," Prisoner Ombudsman Tom McGonicle said. "He was left unattended for five minutes; the alarm was not immediately raised; other prisoners were not locked; and the nurse was not made aware that it was an emergency situation."
But Mr McGonicle continued: "However our clinical reviewer was not critical of his medical management in prison, and did not feel that an opportunity to achieve an earlier diagnosis existed, or that there would have been a possibility to achieve an alternative outcome for Mr Brown."
The investigation into the incident also identified four matters requiring improvement; two of which (post-incident support for staff, and record-keeping) had been previously made and accepted by the Prison Service and the South-Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has accepted the recommendations of the report and said it has already implemented them.
Mr McGonigle, in expressing sympathy to the next of kin, said: "While some things could have been done better, a key finding of this independent investigation is that there was no possibility to achieve an alternative outcome for Mr Brown."
(IT/CD)
46-year-old David Brown died from a brain haemorrhage at an outside hospital on 15 December 2012, while in the custody of Maghaberry Prison.
The ombudsman said toxicology tests have revealed painkillers in his system, which had been prescribed to him, and that no other common drugs were detected in his system.
"When Mr Brown was discovered in an unresponsive state in his cell, the NIPS response was inadequate," Prisoner Ombudsman Tom McGonicle said. "He was left unattended for five minutes; the alarm was not immediately raised; other prisoners were not locked; and the nurse was not made aware that it was an emergency situation."
But Mr McGonicle continued: "However our clinical reviewer was not critical of his medical management in prison, and did not feel that an opportunity to achieve an earlier diagnosis existed, or that there would have been a possibility to achieve an alternative outcome for Mr Brown."
The investigation into the incident also identified four matters requiring improvement; two of which (post-incident support for staff, and record-keeping) had been previously made and accepted by the Prison Service and the South-Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has accepted the recommendations of the report and said it has already implemented them.
Mr McGonigle, in expressing sympathy to the next of kin, said: "While some things could have been done better, a key finding of this independent investigation is that there was no possibility to achieve an alternative outcome for Mr Brown."
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 February 2009
Prison Suicide Report Gets Assembly Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA's Raymond McCartney and Martina Anderson will present a motion at the Stormont Assembly today calling for the full implementations of the recommendations of the report made by the Prison Ombudsman into the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
Prison Suicide Report Gets Assembly Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA's Raymond McCartney and Martina Anderson will present a motion at the Stormont Assembly today calling for the full implementations of the recommendations of the report made by the Prison Ombudsman into the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.
29 March 2011
'Threat' Cell Note Probe Underway
A criminal inquiry has begun after a prison officer allegedly planted personal details about his governor on a note in a dissident republican suspect's cell.
'Threat' Cell Note Probe Underway
A criminal inquiry has begun after a prison officer allegedly planted personal details about his governor on a note in a dissident republican suspect's cell.
31 August 2021
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
31 August 2018
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
14 March 2017
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
