Michael Dobson
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2021-0035
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 8 Apr 2021
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Limited staff availability post-prison lockdown means essential maintenance, like electricity supply issues, is delayed until the next day. This creates a potential for prisoners to self-harm.
View full coroner's concerns
_ The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows. The hanging incident occurred after prison lockdown: Shortly prior to this the electricity supply for the sockets in the cell had tripped: Mike had used his cell bell to call prison officer and he was told it would be sorted out but probably not until the next The inquest also heard that in some cases (not Mike's) that cell lights will trip and this tends to take out four cells. It is also possible that other damage may be caused to cells. am aware that there are very limited staff and security concerns following lockdown. If however prisoners become aware that remedial action may not take place until the following day this does provide a potential (either deliberate or accidental) for prisoners to harm themselves. wonder if it is possible for some form of basic maintenance to be available during lockdown hours. If this concern appears more to be national one rather than a local one then please feel free to pass it on to whoever it is appropriate to deal with it
Responses
Action Taken
HMP Dovegate has ensured there is an on-call facilities maintenance officer available to remedy electricity faults in cells during out-of-hours periods. Duty Managers have been reminded of their responsibility to contact the on-call officer and that electricity should not be left inactive for any period of time. (AI summary)
HMP Dovegate has ensured there is an on-call facilities maintenance officer available to remedy electricity faults in cells during out-of-hours periods. Duty Managers have been reminded of their responsibility to contact the on-call officer and that electricity should not be left inactive for any period of time. (AI summary)
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Telephone: | Facsimile +44 (0) 1283 820066 | www.serco.com
Serco Home Affairs, a division of Serco Limited. A company registered in England and Wales No. 02733334 Office: Serco House, 16 Bartley Wood Business Park, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9UY, United Kingdom. PU Serco Home Affairs, HMP Dovegate, Uttoxeter, ST14 8XR, United Kingdom 8th April 2021
To Whom it May Concern,
In response to the Regulation 28 letter dated 11th February 2021, (case ID; ), regarding the investigation and inquest in the death of Mr Michael Richie Dobson, HMP Dovegate’s Safer Custody department have ensured that there is a system in place to remedy electricity faults within cells during out of hours facilities times.
There is an on-call facilities maintenance officer who can be contacted at any time of day to come into the Prison when there is a fault that cannot be rectified internally by the Duty Manager. The Duty Manager team have been made aware that electricity should not be left inactive for any period of time and that it is their responsibility to contact the facilities ‘on call officer’ to attend the prison to rectify any issues.
Whilst the death of Mr Michael Richie Dobson is not an example of electricity being left inactive, HMP Dovegate’s management team recognise that inadequate basic supplies in cells could result in a Prisoner harming themselves and could cause unnecessary emotional distress.
The Safer Custody team at HMP Dovegate would like to offer assurances that this issue has been rectified.
Serco Home Affairs, a division of Serco Limited. A company registered in England and Wales No. 02733334 Office: Serco House, 16 Bartley Wood Business Park, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9UY, United Kingdom. PU Serco Home Affairs, HMP Dovegate, Uttoxeter, ST14 8XR, United Kingdom 8th April 2021
To Whom it May Concern,
In response to the Regulation 28 letter dated 11th February 2021, (case ID; ), regarding the investigation and inquest in the death of Mr Michael Richie Dobson, HMP Dovegate’s Safer Custody department have ensured that there is a system in place to remedy electricity faults within cells during out of hours facilities times.
There is an on-call facilities maintenance officer who can be contacted at any time of day to come into the Prison when there is a fault that cannot be rectified internally by the Duty Manager. The Duty Manager team have been made aware that electricity should not be left inactive for any period of time and that it is their responsibility to contact the facilities ‘on call officer’ to attend the prison to rectify any issues.
Whilst the death of Mr Michael Richie Dobson is not an example of electricity being left inactive, HMP Dovegate’s management team recognise that inadequate basic supplies in cells could result in a Prisoner harming themselves and could cause unnecessary emotional distress.
The Safer Custody team at HMP Dovegate would like to offer assurances that this issue has been rectified.
Sent To
- HMP Dovegate
Response Status
Linked responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
8 Apr 2021
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 26 November 2019 ! commenced an investigation into the death of Michael Richie DOBSON (Mike") The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 9 Fabainagy 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was suicide with the cause of death being hanging:
Circumstances of the Death
aikehappledha ligature to himself using a piece of linen/sheet through a hole in the ceiling and hanged himself. This hanging occurred on 24.11.2019 at an approximate time between 19.00 and 19.25. Death was pronounced at Queen's Hospital Bruton on 22.25 on 24.11.2019. Probably causative factors: Mike had standing poor mental health issues. There were also issues around illicit use. Mike had fractured family relationships_ Mike had dificulties in establishing and engaging with relationships and the support offeredao him, Possibly causative factors: A lack of central base of information accessible to all relevant staff with useable information: Staffordshire Place, Stafford, ST16 2LP Telephone: 01785 276126 or 276127 Email: sscor@staffordshire gov.uk long drug
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action: Otherwise you should explain why no action is proposed:
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.