Urgent action needed following probe into epilepsy deaths in UK prisons
Report: Preventable deaths linked to failures in managing epilepsy in prisons.
A review commissioned and published today by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has revealed a shocking pattern of preventable deaths linked to failures in managing epilepsy within the prison system.
The report reviewed 125 deaths in UK prisons over a ten-year period. Epilepsy was the primary cause in 25 of the deaths. The report found that:
* Prisoners were four times more likely to die from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) than people living in the community.
* One in four had care that fell below the minimum legal standard.
* Only 38% had a care plan in place.
* Prisoners with known seizure disorders were left unmonitored in single cells or denied essential safety measures.
The deaths included many where Coroners had already issued Prevention of Death reports. Trevor Monerville, 33, died alone in his cell at HMP Lewes in 2021 after suffering a seizure. Despite his worsening condition and reliance on daily medication, Trevor was placed in a single cell and not properly monitored. A morning roll check was missed, delaying lifesaving intervention. The coroner later found the care he received to be ‘insufficient and inadequate’.
Trevor Monerville: Prevention of future deaths report – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Amarjit Singh, 41, died in 2021 at HMP Pentonville. His cellmate repeatedly pressed the emergency bell as Singh suffered a seizure, but the alarm went unanswered for nearly 40 minutes due to a faulty control panel. When an officer finally arrived, they dismissed the incident, telling the cellmate it would ‘wear off by morning’. Singh was found dead hours later. A coroner ruled that neglect contributed to his death.
Amarjit Singh: Prevention of future deaths report – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
SUDEP Action assisted one of the legal teams seeking justice on behalf of one of the families. The charity continues to support those who have lost a loved one whilst in prison – or who are concerned about the risk of sudden death to someone close to them, currently in prison.
Today, SUDEP Action has written to the Government’s Prisons Minister Lord Timpson, calling for urgent action.
Jane Hanna, SUDEP Action Director of Policy & Influencing, said: “SUDEP Action welcomes this highly significant investigation and recommendations from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Our deepest tribute is to all the bereaved families at the centre of this report who have campaigned tirelessly for justice for young lives lost to systemic failures in risk assessment, communication, and medical oversight. We fully support the PPO call for urgent reforms to ensure consistent and lawful standards of healthcare behind prison bars.”
The recommendations include:
* Mandatory epilepsy care plans for all diagnosed prisoners.
* Ending single-cell placement for individuals with uncontrolled seizures.
* Prohibiting top-bunk allocations for at-risk prisoners.
* Improved monitoring and transfer protocols to ensure continuity of care.
* Comprehensive staff training on epilepsy and long-term health conditions.
Read more
PPO research highlights improvements are needed in care of prisoners with epilepsy
Revealed: The inmates dying needlessly in Britain’s prisons
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