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

denied the charge. He admitted pushing the officer, but claimed it was in response to an
assault upon him. The evidence was not tested in court because of Sonny Lodge’s
death. Information came to light in the inquiry about the disciplinary history of the officer
involved.
Garth prison
1.10 Sonny Lodge was assessed by a psychiatrist at Warrington hospital who
recommended further psychiatric assessment and medication.
1.11 From hospital, Sonny was discharged to the healthcare wing at Garth prison. An
officer in the healthcare centre opened a new F2052SH. A nursing care plan was
devised aiming to relieve depression and risk of self harm. Sonny saw the prison medical
officer, who recommended that he needed counselling but not medication.
1.12 Sonny was charged under the Prison Rules with assaulting an officer at Whiston
Hospital. A governor’s adjudication was opened at Garth. The record indicates that
Sonny pleaded guilty. The adjudication was adjourned as the incident was in the hands
of the police. Sonny spoke privately to a governor at Garth who thought his actions might
be considered self-defence. The governor was sufficiently concerned about Sonny’s
account to write to the Head of Residential Services at Risley.
1.13 Sonny stayed in the healthcare centre at Garth until 9 July. The medical officer’s
discharge report recommended that Sonny needed ongoing support and that long-term
issues about drug abuse needed addressing. On 9 July Sonny attended a hospital
outpatient appointment and from there was transferred to Manchester prison.
Manchester Prison
1.14 When Sonny arrived in Manchester, the F2052SH remained open. There were
frequent entries in the daily supervision and support records but appeared to be no
support plan. Records by a senior officer, a health care officer and the medical officer
indicate that Sonny claimed to be coping well, no longer felt suicidal and wanted the file
to be closed. After two days in the induction unit, Sonny was transferred to E wing on 11
July. The F2052SH file was closed at a case review on 20 July 1998.
1.15 For the rest of his time at Manchester prison, Sonny was not on an F2052SH
suicide prevention plan. The inquiry has examined the operation of the measures
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