William Anderson
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2014-0452
No published response · Over 2 years old
Response Status
Responses
0 of 2
56-Day Deadline
12 Dec 2014
Over 2 years old — no identified published response
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroners Concerns
(1) Evidence was adduced in the course of this Inquest to the effect that in 2010,2011 and 2012 inmates were having social get togethers on C at HMP Wealstun, in particular at a weekend, during which time drugs were taken and hooch was drunk; Evidence was also heard that this is occurring at the present time at this said prison establishment In the circumstances, there should be much greater and effective vigilance by staff and Prison Service employees at HMP Wealstun in relation to such get togethers on the periods of association; {2) The Deceased was not subjected t0 a breathalyser test at any time during the 18"h September 2010. A proportion of, but not all; staff are trained in the use of such breathalyser equipment Had the Deceased been s0 breathalysed, more likely than not; it would have been apparent he was not suffering from the effects of alcohol. In the circumstances all staff should be trained in the use of such breathalyser equipment; (3) The Deceased's behaviour and presentation on the 18" September 2010 was not recorded by any member of staff in the C Wing Observation Book_ Evidence was adduced in the course of the Inquest as to the importance of recording all relevant information in the said Observation Book; thereby apprising all members 0f Wing staff on all shifts of all material facts and matters. In the circumstances, all relevant information in relation t9, for example; an inmate' s behaviour and general presentation should be brought to the attention of all staff and should be done so via an appropriate entrylentries in the Observation Book All Wing staff Managers, Prison Officers and Operational Support Grades) should be made aware of the importance of such; and should ensure information is recorded accordingly; (4) The members of staff who observed the Deceased at around 5.45am on the 19th September 2010 did not out" a Code Blue. It was explained in the course of the Inquest that Codes Blue and Red are basic emergency codes which have been in existence for very many years. Despite the fact that; in this instance; the failure to call a Code Blue would not have affected the outcome, it Is not inconceivable that to omit to use such emergency codes could, in certain circumstances, jeopardise an inmate'$ chances of survival In the circumstances, all Prison staff should be fully acquainted with the use of such Codes and should use them accordingly; (5) Paramedic assistance was not called within a reasonable time and no explanation for the delay was provided in the course of the Inquest: Whilst the failure to summons outside medical assistance sooner would not have affected outcome in this instance it is not inconceivable that to omit to call for such assistance as soon as possible could, in certain circumstances, jeopardise an inmate S chances of survival. Consequently, emergency services should be summoned at the very first available opportunity, and all Prison staff should be instructed as to the importance of so doing:
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you [ANDIOR your organisation] have the power to take such action
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On the 22"d September 2010 an investigation was commenced into the death of William Thomas Anderson, aged 35 years_ The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 1st October 2014. conclusion of the Inquest was a Narrative Conclusion; a copy of which is annexed hereto_
Circumstances of the Death
In September 2003 the Deceased was remanded into prison custody: On the July 2010 the Deceased was transferred to HMP Wealstun in Arch; Near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, where he resided until his death in September 2010. On Saturday the 18lh September 2010 the Deceased associated with a number of inmates, during which association he took prescriptive medication belonging to others and drank hooch Prior to final lock Up at around 4.30pm/4.45pm , the Deceased appeared; inter alia, to be inebriated andlor under the influence of alcoholldrugs. Some inmates raised concerns as to the Deceased's welfare with Prison staff. At approximately 7.45pm the Deceased was observed to be laid on his bed with his head and neck resting on his wall at relative right angles to his torso and was breathing rapidly: At around 5.45am the following day, namely Sunday the 19" September 2010, the Deceased was observed to be in the same or a similar position and the Deceased was not detected to be breathing: Prison officers gained access to the Deceased's cell and discovered him to be in a lifeless condition. Paramedic assistance was summoned at 6.31am and arrived at the scene shortly thereafter The Deceased's death was confirmed by attending paramedics at 6.58am on the 1g" September 2010 in Cell C3-G45 at HMP Wealstun, Arch; Near Wetherby: The 27th_ Thorp very Thorp
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.