17 Feb Inquest into death of Rajwinder Singh to start today
The inquest into the death of Rajwinder Singh whilst at HMP Wandsworth in 2023 starts today.
Before HM Assistant Coroner for Inner West London, Bernard Richmond KC
33 Tachbrook Street, SW1V 2JR
Starts 17 February 2025, expected to last 10 days
CONTENT WARNING: This press release contains themes of self-harm and self-inflicted death
Raj was found on 20th June 2023 having tied a ligature just 12 days into his sentence at HMP Wandsworth.
Raj’s death was one of five prisoners to take their own lives at HMP Wandsworth during 2023. Following this and other serious incidents at the prison, such as a high-profile escape, the HMP Chief Inspector of Prisons issued the prison with an Urgent Notification in May 2024.
HMIP found “failings were evident in almost all aspects of the prison’s operation.” They said that the poor outcomes stemmed from “poor leadership at every level of the prison”. The Chief Inspector added that there was a “degree of despondency amongst prisoners” that he had never come across before.
HMIP also noted that the rate of self-harm was high at the prison and rising, “yet around 40% of emergency cell bells were not answered within five minutes.” National Prison Service guidance requires that all emergency cell bells must be responded to within 5 minutes. The jury will hear that Raj pressed his cell bell four times on 20 June, with only one being responded to within 5 minutes.
The jury will also hear that despite arriving at HMP Wandsworth with warning markers in his Person Escort Record (PER) and a suicide and self-harm warning form (SASH), no suicide and self-harm monitoring under ACCT procedures were commenced.
It was not until 12th June during his secondary health screening with a nurse, that an ACCT was opened following Raj expressing that he did not want to be alive and displayed concerning behaviour. Observations were set at once an hour.
Between the 12th and 20th June, Raj self-harmed on a number of occasions including being found with a ligature on 17th June and then setting fire to his hair on 19th June.
On the evening of 20th June Raj pressed his emergency cell at approximately 8.41pm and it was left unanswered for 30 minutes. When staff eventually came to Raj’s cell they found his hanging, by a ligature made from bedding. Raj was successfully resuscitated and taken to hospital but tragically died 5 days later on 25th June 2023.
The inquest will consider:
• ACCT procedures and assessment of risk
• Healthcare and mental healthcare within the prison
• Cell bells
• Events of 20 June
Raj was 36 years old when he died and leaves behind a wife and 3 young children ages 10, 4 and 2 years old. Raj’s wife Remi Masih said “I have lost my best friend, he was my everything, I miss him so much. Raj should have been closely monitored but instead he was failed time and time again whilst he was in prison.”
Raj’s family will not be commenting further until the conclusion of the inquest.
ENDS
If you are feeling low, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Notes for media
Please refer to the Samaritans guide on reporting inquests: https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/media-guidelines/guidance-reporting-inquests/
1. Raj’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Christina Juman of Deighton Pierce Glynn solicitors, and by Maya Sikand KC of Doughty Street Chambers.
2. Other Interested Persons represented include, the Ministry of Justice, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, and individual officers from HMP Wandsworth
3. Request for photographs and further information should be directed to londonadmin@dpglaw.co.uk.
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