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

Chapter 3:
RISLEY: 15 TO 26 JUNE 1998
Summary
3.1 Sonny Lodge was admitted to Risley prison on 15 June 1998 to begin a sentence
of five months. Half the sentence would be spent in prison and half in the community on
licence. An F2052SH self harm at risk form was opened. He was placed on medication
for withdrawal from drugs. The F2052SH was closed on 25 June. On 26 June Sonny
Lodge deliberately injured his arms and was taken to hospital.
Medication for withdrawal from drugs: 16 – 23 June
3.2 When Sonny Lodge was admitted to Risley a reception healthcare officer
recorded that he reported a daily heroin habit of 14 years’ standing and that he had
injected about one gram 72 hours earlier. He also reported smoking about 30 cigarettes
a day. On 16 June he was placed on a ‘detox’ regime comprising dihydrocodeine for
seven days and zopiclone for five days.
F2052SH 15 – 25 June
3.3 The healthcare officer in reception opened a Form 2052SH. This was the
document in use at the time for recording information about prisoners who were
identified as being at risk of suicide or self-harm. (Chapter 14 contains details of the
Prison Service’s policies and procedures to safeguard prisoners against suicide and selfharm.)
3.4 In the section of the form for the report by the initiating member of staff, the
healthcare officer said: he was concerned because Sonny had lacerated his wrists when
admitted to Risley the year before and had intimated that he was considering harming
himself; and that Sonny said he would be all right if placed in a shared cell. The help the
healthcare officer suggested was: (1) close observation/supervision; (2) monitoring by
medical staff; (3) support from other relevant professionals/Listeners 1 .
3.5 In the section of the form for healthcare assessment, the healthcare officer
instructed that Sonny
should attend for further assessment by the medical officer the next day,
1 This is a peer support scheme in which selected prisoners are trained and supported by the Samaritans to
listen in complete confidence to fellow prisoners who may be experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
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