Shropshire Star

Family in Shropshire prisoner death case failings claim

The family of a man who died  at a prison in Shropshire say an inquest has revealed a number of failings by mental health services contributed to his death.

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Mohammed Naveed Zaber, known as Naveed, died in March 2013 in hospital having been found three days earlier hanging in his cell at HMP Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton.

The family said the eight-day inquest in Shrewsbury revealed that the prison's mental health services had failed to access medical records, to adequately monitor the prisoner and respond appropriately to his deteriorating condition.

The inquest jury was told Mr Zaber, 26, a father of three from Birmingham, had a history of mental health problems.

He had been placed on suicide/self-harm monitoring and moved to another wing after smashing his TV set and using the glass to cut his arms.

He also drank washing-up liquid, swallowed batteries, was noted to be making ligatures from his bedsheet and was reported to have red marks around his neck.

He repeatedly asked to see a psychiatrist and to be prescribed medication.

The inquest heard that despite his escalating behaviour, he was not seen by a psychiatrist immediately prior to his death.

The coroner's office said a jury recorded a narrative verdict. It determined that Mr Zaber took his own life using a ligature but was unable to determine his state of mind at the time.

A statement by the family said:

"We are pleased that the jury has recognised the serious failings in this case and hope lessons will be learned for the safety and wellbeing of other vulnerable prisoners."

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