Huge delay in jail suicide policy '˜does not make sense'

Prisoner Ombudsman Tom McGonigle said there was a “moral imperative” on the justice and health authorities to complete the re-drafting of the policy on prison suicides and self-harm.

The recommendation to review the policy within nine months was made in an inspection report in October 2014.

Mr McGonigle, who was giving evidence to the Assembly’s health committee, expressed concern it was still not finished two years later.

“I don’t get why things can’t be done within two years – it doesn’t make sense to me,” he said.

Five people have died in custody in the last 12 months. Four of the deaths were suspected suicides.

On Monday, Justice Minister Claire Sugden said the new suicide and self-harm prevention policy was “still in development”.

Mr McGonigle was briefing committee members on two recent investigations into care failings in respect of a fatal overdose and a serious self-harm incident.

Prisoner Sean Lynch blinded himself and inflicted other serious injuries during a sustained period of self-harming inside Maghaberry Prison in June 2014.

Mr McGonigle’s report found that warders did not step in quickly enough during the hour-long ordeal because of security concerns and a failure to realise the seriousness of his injuries.

He also discussed the case of Patrick Kelly, who died in February last year after overdosing on prescribed medication he stockpiled inside Maghaberry when safeguarding measures were lifted.

The ombudsman said several opportunities to help Mr Kelly had been missed while he was on remand.

He said prison officers and nurses overlooked crucial medical documents and failed to recognise that Mr Kelly was at high risk of self-harm.