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

Chapter 20:
THE SEARCH AND THE INCIDENT IN THE CELL (2): FURTHER CONSIDERATION
AND FINDINGS
Introduction
20.1 This chapter considers the evidence about the incident in cell G3-24 after the
search and states the inquiry findings about both the search and the incident in the cell.
Consideration
The ringing of the rules in red
20.2 At the adjudication, Officer Bowcock reported that he began to explain the G wing
rules and regulations to Sonny Lodge, who became angry and lunged at him. Sonny
Lodge told the governor that when he came back to the cell his property was
everywhere, he laughed nervously, the officer lunged at him and he curled up in a ball
on the floor.
20.3 Sonny’s cellmate, Mr Gray, told the Prison Service investigation about finding the
rules ringed in red on the cell noticeboard. The police asked Officer Bowcock about it.
Officer Bowcock told the police that he reminded Sonny Lodge of the rules because he
had formed the impression Sonny Lodge was not a model prisoner. To the inquiry,
Officer Bowcock acknowledged with hindsight that the way he drew Sonny Lodge’s
attention to the rules may not have been good practice. It is to Officer Bowcock’s credit
that he now recognises that. His action was misguided. It was demeaning to Sonny
Lodge and, coupled with Officer Downs’ involvement in the search, it would have
indicated a clear link between the search and the altercation in the afternoon, suggesting
that the search was additional punishment.
Evidence about the alleged attempted assault
20.4 Officer Bowcock said that Sonny Lodge moved forward with arms raised and,
believing he intended to assault him, Officer Bowcock took pre-emptive action, pushing
Mr Lodge into the corner of the cell and grabbing his arm. Sonny Lodge said he did not
threaten the officer but the officer lunged at him. Officer Downs and Bowcock then
restrained Sonny Lodge. They said that he resisted. Sonny Lodge said he curled up on
the floor.
152