Death in custody investigation

AN investigation has been launched following the death of a man at HMP Nottingham.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the death in custody following the 35-year-old man’s arrest at an address in Nottingham.

The man, who was being recalled to prison, was taken by Nottinghamshire Police to the Bridewell custody centre just before 9am on Tuesday, December 29.

He was transferred to HMP Nottingham later that morning but was found unresponsive in a holding cell there. Despite efforts to save him, his death was pronounced shortly before 3.15pm.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said following a mandatory referral from Nottinghamshire Police, it began an investigation into the force’s contact with the man prior to him being transferred to prison.

HM Coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination carried out. A date has yet to be fixed for the opening of the inquest.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “We have made contact with the man’s next of kin to explain our role and my thoughts remain with them and all those affected by his death.

“Our investigation will look at the actions and decisions of officers and staff while the man was in their detention and the welfare checks that were made on him during that period.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “A HMP Nottingham prisoner died in custody on December 29, 2020. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.”