Prison cell observation panels

11 items 1 source

Prison culture and practice leading to obscured cell observation panels, staff delaying entry, and misinterpreting views.

Cross-Source Insight

Prison cell observation panels has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:

11 PFD reports

This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.

Anthony Binfield
17 Dec 2025 · Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire
Concerns: A dangerous prison culture of delaying cell entry when observation panels are obscured, assuming privacy rather than self-harm risk, persists despite repeated policy reminders and staff unawareness.
Responded
Stuart Berry
01 Dec 2025 · Essex
Concerns: Multiple failures by mental health services and serious deficiencies in prison suicide risk assessment, including poor ACCT completion, inadequate observations, and accessible ligature points, contributed to the death.
Response: HMPPS has developed interim upskilling sessions on self-harm and suicide risks for prison officers, and the Safety Support Skills training module is under national review. Four ligature-resistant cells were completed …
Response: HCRG is strengthening interfaces, retraining reception nurses, and has introduced a dedicated Early Days in Custody (EDiC) Nurse role to lead an action plan for improving care standards. They have …
Overdue
Stephen Sleaford
14 Oct 2024 · Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Concerns: There's a severe lack of first aid and CPR training for prison officers, including new recruits, creating critical response gaps. Routinely obscured cell observation panels and unclear guidance on emergency cell entry further compromise prisoner safety.
Overdue
Brandon Johnson
01 Oct 2024 · Inner West London
Concerns: Inadequate and unreliable procedures for checking prisoners' signs of life, with staff lacking sufficient time and clear training to perform robust, positive-response checks in cells.
Responded
Saifur Rahman
26 May 2022 · Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns: Delayed emergency "code blue" calls, absence of a central cell history record, and inadequate visual risk assessments by mental health staff in the prison pose significant ongoing safety risks.
Responded
Serena Nicolle
22 Jun 2021 · Surrey
Concerns: The standard prison procedure of assessing breathing through a cell hatch by observing chest movement is unreliable, leading to erroneous assessments and a risk of future deaths.
Overdue
Maureen Martin
26 Jun 2019 · Staffordshire South
Concerns: The Nurses' Station desk on the ward was improperly positioned, obstructing staff visibility, which contributed to a patient's fall.
Responded
Raymond Knight
05 Apr 2019 · Essex
Concerns: Police station CCTV cameras do not cover individual holding cells, creating a critical gap in monitoring and photographic records of prisoners.
Overdue
Daniel Dunkley
02 May 2017 · Milton Keynes
Concerns: The provided text outlines the circumstances of the deceased being found hanging in his cell and his subsequent death, but details no specific systemic failures or coroner's concerns.
Overdue
Michael Williams
11 Jul 2016 · Leicester City and Leicestershire South
Concerns: Prison staff missed mandated observations and used predictable intervals for checks. There was an inappropriate delay in responding after a cell observation panel was blocked, indicating a lack of clear training.
Responded
Damion Anthony Andre Martin
30 Oct 2013 · Liverpool
Concerns: Inadequate prison risk assessment failed to identify a key suicide risk factor, first responders lacked CPR refresher training, and cell observation was compromised by restricted views and missed checks.
Overdue