by: 4WardEverUK
published: 23 March 2014
This March 24th, 2014 marks 9 years since the tragic death of Michael Bailey in HMP Rye Hill. Visit the website here >
In 2007 Four prison officers charged over the death of Michael were cleared. Daniel Daymond, 23, and Samantha Prime, 29, both of Rugby, and Paul Smith, 39, from Warrington, were cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence.
Ben King, 21, from Daventry, and Mr Daymond, were also cleared of perverting the course of justice.
An inquest jury in 2009 sitting before HM Assistant Deputy Coroner for Northamptonshire, Tom Osbourne, concluded that a catalogue of serious failings at the privately-run prison caused or contributed to the death of the 23 year old Michael who was found hanged in the segregation unit of the prison.
The jury concluded that the prison had failed in relation to every single aspect of Michael’s care that they had been asked to consider and that there was a “failure on the part of all staff to take responsibility for ensuring Michael Bailey’s safety”.
The jury found that both prison and medical staff:
- failed to undertake an adequate mental health assessment;
- failed in their communication about his condition and care needs;
- failed to recognise the serious nature of his condition;
- failed to move Michael out of the segregation unit into healthcare when it became clear that he was at risk;
- failed to place him in a safe cell;
- failed to do all that could be reasonably be expected to prevent Michael hanging himself.
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