The 26-year-old inmate who had tried to take his own life was rushed to hospital after paramedics were freed from the lift, but he was pronounced dead less than 15 minutes after arrival
A 26-year-old prisoner who tried to take his own life in his cell faced delays reaching hospital when paramedics carrying him on a stretcher became stuck in a lift at the Midlands Prison, an inquiry has discovered. The inmate was rushed to Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise after the electrical malfunction causing the issue was fixed, but he was declared dead less than 15 minutes after arriving.
Medical help had already been postponed because prison staff had failed to answer the call system triggered by the prisoner for 38 minutes before he was found unconscious in his cell.
An inquiry by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) revealed it seemed that the call from the prisoner’s cell had been acknowledged by someone in the class office but nobody attended for over half an hour.
The OIP received correspondence signed by 50 of the deceased’s fellow prisoners, placing responsibility for his death on a specific prison officer, who they alleged had dismissed warnings that he was at risk of killing himself, reports the Irish Mirror.
A cellmate informed the inquiry that the man had told this prison officer that he was “going to kill himself” just over a week before his death, and had requested to be put in a padded cell.
He said the man had placed a flag around his neck during this conversation, and alleged that the prison officer told him to return to his cell in a dismissive, uncaring manner.
Statements from prison staff disputed this version of events. The investigation report revealed that the 26-year-old man had been serving combined sentences totalling just under five years at the time of his death on July 17, 2023.
He was scheduled for release on August 2, 2025.
His relatives informed investigators that they didn’t think he would deliberately harm himself, with his sister having chatted to him by telephone on the day he passed away, expressing no worries about his mental state at that moment.
His cellmate also characterised him as being in “great form” when they enjoyed video games together during the afternoon of July 17. When cell doors were opened for recreational activities around 2.10pm, he opted to remain in his accommodation to telephone his brother.
When a prison guard was opening doors once more to permit prisoners to return to their quarters around 3.30pm, he spotted that an emergency light was flashing red. He tried to access the cell but discovered a mattress had been positioned against the entrance.
Upon gaining entry, the prison officer discovered the prisoner hanging from a bunk bed with a makeshift noose around his throat. He sounded the alert and the man was positioned in the recovery stance.
Two medics and nursing personnel reached the cell around 3.38pm and commenced CPR. They noted the man’s face appeared “blue and swollen”, and were unable to detect a heartbeat.
Paramedics arrived around 3.54pm and attempted to transport the man to an ambulance on a stretcher, but became trapped in a lift when an electrical switch tripped. They were released after approximately five minutes and proceeded to Midlands Regional Hospital, where the man was declared dead shortly after arrival.
The OIP recommended that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) should formulate a standard operating procedure concerning cell call notifications, and a suicide prevention policy and strategy should be developed.
A standard operating procedure should also be established regarding the removal of incapacitated individuals from cells, and prison officers should be reminded of their duties to ensure that equipment is in good working condition.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
#Inmate #dies #paramedics #carrying #stretcher #trapped #prison #lift
