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Partner of person currently incarcerated: ‘I wish to document and shed light on the consistent breaches of human rights and negligent practices that are accepted as standard within HMP Pentonville’s healthcare department’.
Partner of person currently incarcerated: ‘I wish to document and shed light on the consistent breaches of human rights and negligent practices that are accepted as standard within HMP Pentonville’s healthcare department’.
2.’My partner reported that his steroid inhaler (required for his chronic asthma) had run out and he needed a new one. He was not given an inhaler as the doctor said he wasn’t due another one yet.’
3.’He was segregated due to suspected Corona virus and transferred to the quarantine wing. He asked for his inhaler daily. He told officers and nurses that he was struggling for breath. He was never seen by the doctor.’
4.’He was never tested despite having several underlying health conditions that place him in the high risk category for Corona. I rang safer custody daily to report his breathing problems and find out why his medication was not being issued. There was no response for days.’
5. ‘Safer Custody has an answering machine message with a promise that someone will call you back. I had one call back, days after my messages had been left. Meanwhile, my partner’s air supply was becoming more limited and my anxiety levels were growing.’
6.’The prison receptionist refused to put me through to anyone inside the prison and told me to call NHS England. I called them and reported the incident. I was advised to call 999 as the “prison doctor, nurse and officers in charge were putting his life at risk.”
7.’I made a complaint through NHS England and it was escalated. They called the prison healthcare department. The prison was informed that a formal investigation would be taking place regarding the incident.’
8. ‘Some prison officers were angry that I’d complained, then treated him more harshly. My numbers were instantly blocked from his calling list. Then all his numbers were blocked.’
9.’My partner asked an officer why he’d treat someone this way? “Because I can“ he replied. He was also told to “Stop pressing the buzzer, it’s not a F****ing hotel!” as he struggled to take in air after days of being left alone with suspected Corona and no inhaler.’
10.’Without contact, his mental health grew worse. After 2 weeks in isolation he was then moved to another isolation wing and left in a cell with no electricity, phone, canteen, or his property from reception.’
11.’He attempted to hang himself using a torn strip of bed sheet attached to the top bed of the bunk. When the officer found him swinging, my partner was immediately issued a phone and called me. He sounded so relieved to hear my voice.’
12.’The night after his attempted suicide, healthcare denied his antidepressants. I reported it.’
13.’He was awaiting trail. I’ve just received a call from his solicitor and the judge took into account his substance misuse and relapse, his mental health issues, and looked favourably on all the things he’d been doing to get well.’
14.’The good news is that the judge has granted him bail and said that if he continues working with the drug services, a custodial sentence is not inevitable. This means he could be coming home today and possibly never going back. We can’t believe it!’
UPDATE: He’s home now and they both feel blessed.
