Prison officers fought desperately for 45 minutes to save the life of a convicted killer who took his own life behind bars, a shocking new report has revealed.
Ashley Sparkes, 30, was found hanging in his cell at HMP Lincoln on October 17th last year while serving a life sentence for murder. Despite immediate intervention and extensive resuscitation efforts by dedicated prison staff, Sparkes could not be revived.
Desperate Rescue Efforts
The harrowing incident unfolded when officers discovered Sparkes unconscious in his cell during routine checks. Staff immediately initiated emergency procedures, performing CPR and using a defibrillator in a race against time to save the inmate's life.
According to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman's report, prison officers continued resuscitation attempts for three-quarters of an hour until paramedics arrived and pronounced Sparkes dead at the scene.
Troubled History Behind Bars
Sparkes had been serving life for the brutal murder of 22-year-old Bradley Gledhill in Bradford in 2020. The investigation revealed that prison staff had previously identified Sparkes as being at risk of self-harm and had placed him on appropriate monitoring protocols.
Despite these measures and regular welfare checks, the tragedy still occurred, raising serious questions about mental health support within the prison system.
Systemic Concerns Raised
The ombudsman's report highlighted several concerning aspects of Sparkes' case, including:
- Previous self-harm incidents while in custody
- Gaps in mental health assessment procedures
- Challenges in managing vulnerable prisoners
- Staff response times and emergency protocols
A Prison Service spokesperson stated: "Our staff responded immediately and attempted CPR until paramedics arrived. We are investing £100 million in prison security and are recruiting more mental health professionals to support vulnerable prisoners."
The investigation continues as authorities work to implement additional safeguards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
