Inmate who took own life attempted suicide before, inquest hears

THE suicide of a prisoner in Magilligan might have been prevented if he had been seen by a mental health professional, an inquest has heard.

Geoffrey Ellison (58), from Lancashire, was found dead in his cell on March 28, 2015.

He had been nine weeks away from release, but had received a break-up letter from his partner just days before his death.

Mr Ellison had a long history of depression and had attempted suicide a number of times, with the most recent attempt just two months before he started his eight-month sentence on September 2014.

At an inquest in Newtownards Court this week, multiple witnesses including medical staff, prison officers and fellow inmates all said his death was a shock.

There was a consensus he had settled well into prison life and, despite the bad news about his relationship, his behaviour gave no indication he was at risk.

Mr Ellison had also been seen 37 times by medical professionals during his six months in prison, including five times by the same GP.

None of these staff raised any concerns about the state of his mental health, and it was accepted they were especially alert to such issues through working in prison.

It was suggested in court yesterday that Mr Ellison should still have been seen by a dedicated mental health professional.

Retired nurse Jane McKenzie conducted an independent review for the Prisoner Ombudsman in 2016.

Qualified as a mental health and general nurse, she has 50 years of experience and has conducted multiple reviews across the UK.

Her report called his death predictable, but that it could not be said with certainty that it was preventable.

Speaking in court, she said: “I still think Geoffrey Ellison met the criteria for being a vulnerable prisoner.

“I’m not saying his death could have been prevented. Further monitoring just might have picked something up.” A barrister for the South Eastern Health Trust said Mr Ellison had “ample opportunity” to raise any problems with staff with “vast mental health experience”.

Ms McKenzie questioned why there was no discussion about his use of antidepressants or his depression in notes from medical workers or prison staff.

She accepted his behaviour did not cause concern, but her findings were based on risk predictors such as his relationship breakdown, history of depression and health concerns.

Earlier, the court heard from a nurse who led a serious adverse incident review for the South Eastern Trust.

She said that, in 2014, new prisoners were assessed medically, but mental health screenings were carried out on paper.

Mr Ellison’s history was noted, but it was judged he did not need to see a mental health professional unless he presented as concerning.

She said new guidelines now mean prisoners receive a face-toface mental health screening.

The inquest continues.