Jail not to blame for suicide of prisoner

wounds to his right arm which were treated and stitched at PRI.

Sheriff Wade noted: “Following his return from hospital on June 1, 2016, a case conference was held and the frequency of his checks was increased to every 30 minutes.”

He then appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court on June 3 and on his return to Perth prison was asked a number of questions which indicated he “could be at risk of suicide or self-harm.”

Despite that, the prisoner was found to be “very positive and in a good mood.”

And the officer who carried out the assessment indicated there were “no concerns.”

In the early evening of June 3, seven checks were carried out on the prisoner between 4.32pm and 6.51pm.

When the 6.51pm check was carried out, however, Mr Cameron was found dead.

A ‘code blue’ was declared and immediate help was summoned, with prison officers beginning CPR “within minutes.”

That was continued by nursing staff until paramedics and an ambulance crew arrived and the prisoner was taken to PRI.

He was closely monitored for the next two days but “showed no improvement.”

On June 5, he began to “deteriorate significantly” and was prounounced dead just after 7.30pm that evening.

A post mortem examination noted that the deceased had a “history of depression, anxiety and problems with alcohol.”

He was also previously thought to have been a heroin user.

Sheriff Wade concluded in her inquiry findings: “I was satisfied that in this case the deceased’s propensity to self-harm was well documented and appropriate measures were taken to monitor him in line with the then current policy.

“All possible measures were taken when his suicide was detected and every effort was made to resuscitate him.

“He was well cared for and received all appropriate treatment before his death.”