Missed chance to stop murderer killing himself Volunteers your shelter needs you!
Jailer sacked after failing to check on convict serving life
A sanctuary which helps the homeless during the colder months is in need of helpers. Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter offers safe surroundings and support for up to 15 people per night who are living on the borough’s streets.
This year the shelter will run for 13 weeks, from Friday, January 3 to Monday, March 30.
But without volunteers it won’t be able to open.
Mandy Fuller, who helps to run the initiative, said: “Helping out for just one or two overnight sessions will make a great difference to many homeless people in Maidstone.”
Roles include setting up, preparing meals, and engaging with guests in the evening and at breakfast.
To volunteer, or find out more information about the shelter, go to maidstoneshelter.org.uk or call 01622 296450. A prisoner who was serving a life sentence for murder died after hanging himself while under hourly observation. Aleksandras Zuravliovas, who killed Italian waiter Joele Leotta in Maidstone, was three years into his 21-year jail term when he was discovered dead in his cell at Sheppey’s HMP Swaleside on June 3, 2017.
A four-day inquest at the Archbishop’s Palace heard a prison officer was sacked after failing to complete an hourly check on the Lithuanian, who had earlier barricaded himself in his cell, threatening to cut himself. After slashing his arms the month before, the 30-year-old had told staff he was missing his family and was worried about the length of his sentence. On the day of Zuravliovas’ death, prison officer Sam Skinner did not check on him at 7pm, the inquest heard.
He was found hanging in his cell at 7.39pm by Mr Skinner’s colleague - having been left unobserved for one hour and 39 minutes.
It emerged the officer, who has since been dismissed, also failed to pass on concerns raised by another prisoner that Zuravliovas seemed “out of character”. At the time of his death, he was under an Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) review, which allows prison staff to map out care for an offender at risk of self-harm. Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn said her concerns about support offered to offenders on ACCTs had since been rectified. She added: “I’m satisfied duty governors are now reviewing 20% of all ACCTs and that referrals are being made to mental health services.”
A jury concluded Zuravliovas’ death was suicide.
For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time