Prison criticised after death of Chesterfield man found dead in his cell

After hearing five days of evidence, they highlighted failures to “assess the mental health needs” of Lee Greenall, 40, who was found hanged in Lowdham Grange, a privately managed prison in Nottinghamshire.

On Friday, the 11-member jury at Nottinghamshire Coroners Court returned a suicide conclusion on Greenall - who died alone in his locked cell on November 20, 2016.

They had been told he may have been bullied by inmates who saw a TV documentary and decided he was “a wrong ‘un.”

In its conclusion, the jury also spoke of “inadequate record keeping and communication of issues relevant to his case history.”

And it highlighted shortcomings in a system where prison officers are asked to build a rapport with inmates, helping to understand their problems.

The jury said that failure was due to “minimal staffing levels and a challenging environment” on Lima Wing, where Greenall was held.

Lowdham Grange is managed by public company Serco, which says staffing has been improved since the death. Other workers took on routine jobs so staff could stay on wings where inmates are held, described as “residential areas.”

Prison official Scott Newey said there are now “an extra eight members of the residential safety team” while staff have been encouraged with cash awards and away days.

All prisons are introducing a “key worker” scheme to replace the system which was criticised by the jury.

Each officer will keep in close contact with between six and eight inmates.

Assistant coroner Ivan Cartwright said that he “felt uncomfortable” to be told that two prison officers were often left in charge of a wing, especially as one staff member could be a recent recruit.

Mr Newey said that would no longer happen because new officers could be mentored by an experienced officer for up to two months.

Asked whether the newcomers took advantage of this, Mr Newey told the coroner: “Some yes, some no. Some have higher confidence levels.”

Sean Horstead, who represented the family, said he was concerned long-standing staff may move away from prisoners as their careers progressed.

“They are not retained on the shop floor, the coal face. Is that something you recognise as part of the issue?” he asked.

Mr Newey said: “No, we have experienced staff in the residential areas. Some people love residential because that is where you know everybody.”