Inmate died from drugs in 'volatile' prison

A prisoner with "a history of drug misuse" died at a "volatile" jail, an inquest jury has concluded.

Patrick Maughan, 50, died after collapsing in a different prisoner's cell at HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire on 17 November 2024.

A jury at Nottingham Coroner's Court said the drug-related death was "due to the use of cocaine and synthetic cannabinoid drugs".

A Prison Service spokesperson said it would respond to any recommendations by the coroner in due course.

The jury also said drug use "was recognised as being a major problem at Lowdham Grange", and also highlighted "staffing issues".

The court heard Maughan had arrived at the Category B jail - which is run by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) - on 6 February 2024, and had a history of mental health issues and drug use.

In their conclusions, which were returned on Thursday, the jury said Maughan was offered the chance to "engage with voluntary substance misuse services", but missed multiple assessments.

Maughan had a seizure in a neighbouring cell, the jury said, leading to other inmates calling for staff to assist, after which a code blue emergency was called.

The jury said the emergency response by the staff "was appropriate and satisfactory", but noted problems at the prison at the time of Maughan's death.

"The prevalence of illicit drugs at the prison was recognised as being a major problem at Lowdham Grange," they said in their conclusions.

"The prison was volatile, with staffing issues, and described as an unsafe prison."

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating.

"We will respond to its findings, and any recommendations by the coroner, in due course."

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