Report of the Inquiry into the circumstances of the Death of Bernard ...

11.39 Governor McColm told the inquiry he had been uneasy about seeming animosity
between Sonny Lodge and Officer Bowcock in the adjudication room. When deciding on
the punishment he had taken into account that Sonny might be released that afternoon
but otherwise he wanted to keep him off the wings for the four days of the bank holiday
weekend to avoid any possible conflicts between him and the staff. He was clear that he
had not wanted to impose any added days. In the segregation unit, movements were
controlled and there were daily visits from the doctor and chaplain. He said Mr Lodge’s
welfare was at the forefront of this mind. Asked whether he had allowed his unease to
affect his decision on the charge, Mr McColm said that now, ten years later, he could not
honestly say what the sequence of his thinking had been. He had not been aware that
Sonny had self-harmed or been on F2052SH. The concern he felt was about the hostility
between Mr Lodge and the officer. Sonny Lodge seemed upset with the officer and the
evidence but it was not unusual for someone who felt they had been “stitched-up” to be
upset or emotional in an adjudication. Nothing had prompted him to think that Sonny was
at risk of suicide. He had asked SO Knight to keep an eye on Sonny. He wanted SO
Knight to make sure Sonny was OK and had calmed down after the adjudication but that
was not because of any thought that he might self-harm.
After the adjudication
11.40 Mr Johnson went to the segregation unit to see Sonny. On the way, he saw
Governor McColm who told Mr Johnson that he had found the charge against Mr Lodge
proved and that as part of the penalty he had imposed four days’ cellular confinement
motivated by a desire to keep him out of harm’s way where he could have no further
contact with the G wing officers. Governor McColm asked Mr Johnson to explain to Mr
Lodge that he did not want him to go back to the wing and was trying to help him.
11.41 In his interview for the Prison Service investigation, Mr Johnson said he saw Mr
Lodge at about 11.15 am. Mr Johnson explained to him what the governor had done and
why. Mr Johnson said Mr Lodge was quite happy and understood. Mr Lodge’s only
concern was that he would spend the bank holiday weekend in segregation. He asked
for some books and a Bible, and for Mr Johnson to find out the result of his bail
application. This was the first time Mr Johnson had met Mr Lodge.
11.42 Later, Mr Johnson spoke with Mr Lodge’s girlfriend (Ms A) on the telephone. She
was upset because the bail application had been refused. Mr Johnson said she had
been building up hopes for Mr Lodge getting home and was worried about what was
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