Another inmate from troubled Forest Bank prison has died

Salford: Another tragic incident has occurred at Forest Bank prison. An inmate collapsed and later died in the hospital. This happened on Wednesday, and the prison spokesperson confirmed the news.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about such a sad event. Back in November, a young man named Jake O’Brien also died after collapsing at the prison. He was just 22 and had been taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

Now, investigations are in full swing for both cases. A spokesperson from HMP Forest Bank expressed condolences to the family and mentioned that an independent investigation will take place, so they can’t share more details right now.

Jake was on remand for car-related charges. His mother, Sarah, shared her heartbreak, saying she lost her precious son too soon. She asked for privacy as the family tries to cope with their loss.

Sadly, Forest Bank has seen a string of fatalities over the years. There was Michael McDonagh, who was found unresponsive in his cell back in February 2019, and Raymond Lucy, who died in July of the same year.

An inquest into Michael’s death revealed serious failings in his care. He was prescribed a mix of drugs that affected his central nervous system, and the jury found that the medical staff didn’t monitor him properly, which likely contributed to his passing.

As for Mr. Lucy, a coroner ruled his death was unavoidable, despite his family claiming his cell lacked fresh air.

A recent investigation by the Manchester Evening News uncovered troubling allegations about Forest Bank. Reports of rampant drug use and inmates taking control of the prison have raised alarms. Local MP Rebecca Long-Bailey has called for an urgent review and even suggested canceling the billion-pound contract with Sodexo, the company managing the prison.

The investigation revealed a disturbing culture within the facility, with claims of drugs being smuggled in and inmates brewing their own alcohol. Staff members feel unsafe, often left to manage large groups of inmates alone, and some even have to buy their own uniforms due to budget cuts.

Sodexo’s contract is set to end in January 2025, but the company has been under scrutiny for its management of the prison. They’ve been running it since 1998, and with their recent financial success, many are questioning how they’ve handled the situation at Forest Bank.

The Manchester Evening News is currently seeking updates from the Ministry of Justice regarding any new contracts or changes in management.