Prisoner’s Fatal Fire Incident Linked to Spice Use Prompts Watchdog Scrutiny

The death of prisoner Kevin Delahunty, 40, who died on 29 March 2018 in hospital, four days after sustaining third-degree burns at HMP Risley in Warrington, Cheshire, has drawn significant condemnation from the prisons watchdog. Mr. Delahunty had set himself ablaze in his cell while attempting to smoke the drug spice, an incident described as “truly shocking.” An inquiry determined that Mr. Delahunty, a Bradford resident, most probably ignited his clothing by accident while attempting to light a makeshift pipe with an electrical socket in his cell. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) expressed disapproval regarding the “ease” with which the individual, a convicted burglar, had managed to acquire psychoactive substances within the prison. According to a fatal incident report issued by deputy ombudsman Elizabeth Moody, Mr. Delahunty had been discovered under the influence of spice on over 13 occasions in the year preceding his demise. Furthermore, a coroner observed that the prison was previously aware of the “unsafe ignition method” Mr. Delahunty had employed at the time of his death. Mr. Delahunty, who was serving a five-year sentence, had also received medical attention in August 2017 after reportedly falling asleep “with something burning in his hand” while consuming drugs. Ms. Moody commented, “The details of this investigation are truly shocking.” Ms. Moody highlighted that Mr. Delahunty’s family learned of his hospitalization only after receiving a social media message, and their subsequent call to the prison for further details was met with a refusal, citing “security reasons.” She characterized the presence of drugs within the facility as “very troubling” and asserted that “more needed to be done” to eliminate these substances. The report additionally indicated that HMP Risley was encountering difficulties in preventing the smuggling of drugs into the prison via drones. Nevertheless, Ms. Moody recognized that managers had “taken very significant steps” to diminish the drug supply following Mr. Delahunty’s death. She declared that the prevalence of drug use in prisons constituted a national issue, further stating: “I will be returning to this topic before long if serious action is not taken by the Ministry of Justice.” The report detailed that at 17:25 GMT, a prison support worker on the landing adjacent to Mr. Delahunty’s cell detected a burning odor. Upon looking through the hatch in his cell door, she observed him with “flames rising from the back of his t-shirt.” Prison officers noted that the fire had consumed almost all of his upper garments. Mr. Delahunty was transported to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with 28% third-degree burns and subsequently placed into an induced coma. The report indicated that he developed multi-organ failure, which resulted in his death. Ms. Moody stated that some prison staff were left “very traumatised” by Mr. Delahunty’s death and were provided with counselling. An inquest, which concluded last month, determined a conclusion of death by misadventure. The PPO report identified a deficiency in information sharing concerning Mr. Delahunty’s drug use, even following multiple instances where his intoxication levels necessitated a declaration of medical emergency. The prison has subsequently implemented an action plan that includes increased training for its staff. In a statement, the Prison Service conveyed: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Kevin Delahunty.” The statement continued: “HMP Risley has made significant improvements since his death in 2018, including a new induction process and enhanced mental health assessments for all new prisoners, strengthened emergency response protocols and robust measures to tackle drug misuse and supply within the prison.”