Prisoner's death at HMP Woodhill highlights concerns in prison procedures and mental health support
The recent death of a prisoner at HMP Woodhill has prompted scrutiny over prison protocols and mental health care within the UK Prison system.
Mr. Anil Gill, the deceased inmate, was found hanging in his cell on July 31, 2022. He was 48 years old.
Mr. Gill's experiences within the prison system, as detailed in a report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, have revealed several significant events leading up to his death. Initially remanded at HMP Bullingdon charged with murdering his wife. Mr. Gill's mental health was monitored under ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) procedures. Despite subsequent transfers to different prisons and receiving mental health support, including antidepressant medication, Mr. Gill's mental state continued to deteriorate.
The report highlights procedural flaws and missed opportunities in Mr. Gill's care. Notably, despite his attendance at a family court hearing where he received distressing news, there was no formal assessment of his mental state afterward, a recognized risk factor for suicide and self-harm.
Furthermore, lapses in medication management and procedural oversights during cell checks raised concerns. Staff failed to conduct visual welfare checks during cell unlocks, a critical practice highlighted by the Prison Service Instruction, potentially contributing to the delay in discovering Mr. Gill's condition.
The investigation also revealed issues regarding substance misuse and evidence preservation. While intelligence reports suggested Mr. Gill had been provided psychoactive substances, post-mortem tests detected only cannabis in his system, with no trace of synthetic cannabinoids or antidepressants.
In response to these findings, the report issued several recommendations aimed at improving prisoner welfare and institutional procedures. These include revising protocols for family court appearances, enhancing medication management practices, and enforcing visual welfare checks during cell unlocks.
Following Mr. Gill's death, prison authorities initiated support measures for both staff and inmates affected by the incident. Senior managers conducted debrief sessions to address concerns arising from the emergency response, while notices offering support were posted throughout the facility.
What does the prison say?
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We have accepted and implemented all of the Ombudsman’s recommendations.”
Training exercises haven taken place, along with other measures following the report from the Ombudsman.