A young prisoner found dead in his cell was able to obtain drugs behind bars with 'apparent ease', a watchdog said in a new report which also revealed he wasn't checked properly the night before his death.
Dylan Woodhead died at HMP Hindley on January 8, 2021. He was 22 and had only been in the prison and young offender institution in Bickershaw, near Wigan, for 10 days after being transferred from HMP Forest Bank in Salford.
Ombudsman raises concerns over drug access and roll checks
The report, published by watchdog the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman after an investigation into the tragedy, said a post-mortem examination confirmed he had taken 'psychoactive substances' before his death.
Ombudsman Adrian Usher said: "Although this was not found to have caused his death, psychoactive substances are known to affect mental health adversely. I am concerned that Mr Woodhead was able to obtain psychoactive substances with apparent ease at Hindley, even though strict restrictions had been put in place during the Covid 19 lockdown."
Concerns over roll call checks at the prison have also been raised - the report reveals he wasn't checked by an officer the night before he was found dead.
The Ombudsman added: "I am concerned that roll checks were not properly completed the night and morning before Mr Woodhead was found dead in his cell. I cannot say whether this might have affected the outcome for him."
Previous prison and history of self-harm
And Forest Bank, he said in the report, should have done more to consider supporting him. Mr Usher said: "Mr Woodhead had been in custody for three months when he died, and for only ten days at Hindley.
"It was his first time in prison. While he had a number of risk factors, prison staff at HMP Forest Bank, his previous prison, should have considered starting suicide and self-harm procedures for him when he arrived, he sought minimal support from prison staff and there were no clear signs to indicate that he intended to take his life, including in the days before his death."
Mr Woodhead, a joiner and father, played rugby for Wigan-based club Ince Rose Bridge. He was remanded into custody at HMP Forest Bank in September, 2020, charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour and damage of a property.
He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years, with a restraining order not to contact his ex-partner, on December 4, then transferred to Hindley just after Christmas, on December 29, 2020.
But the report reveals he 'disregarded the restraining order in place' and called his ex-partner the night before his death, where he threatened to take his own life. Prison staff were unable to resuscitate him.
Mr Woodhead was said to have had a history of attempted suicide and self-harm. The report also reveals he misused alcohol and had anxiety, depression and substance misuse problems.
Recommendations and responses
A series of recommendations have now been made. Ombudsman Mr Usher said in the report: "The officer on night duty failed to properly conduct the evening roll check on 7 January 2021 and the morning roll check on 8 January and therefore did not check on Mr Woodhead.
"The officer on day duty also failed to conduct a morning roll check on 8 January. Although we cannot say whether this might have made a difference in Mr Woodhead's case, early intervention in another emergency may save a life.
"Although Hindley has a comprehensive drug strategy, Mr Woodhead was still able to obtain drugs in the prison. The prison updated its drug strategy in March 2021, but must continue to implement it effectively to reduce supply and demand."
A jury at an inquest held in January 2024 determined the medical cause of death as hanging and returned a narrative conclusion, stating Mr Woodhead died as a result of suicide.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "We have accepted and actioned all recommendations from the Prison and Probation Ombudsman. In recent years, prisons have expanded the use of physical security measures to tackle the smuggling of contraband such as drugs, including X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security, and X-ray baggage scanners."
An HMP Forest Bank spokesperson said: “Our thoughts continue to be with Mr Woodhead's family and all those affected by his death. We have cooperated fully with the Prisons & Probation Ombudsman in the preparation of their report and accept the outcomes.”
