Johnpaul Digweed, a 36-year-old EncroChat dealer serving a 25-year sentence for supplying cocaine and heroin, made approximately £500,000 every two months from organising drone deliveries of drugs and other contraband into HMP Garth in Lancashire, according to a report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO). Digweed was found dead in his cell in April 2024.
The PPO investigation, which examines all deaths in custody, found no evidence that Digweed was at heightened or imminent risk of suicide when he died, reports Liverpool Echo. However, ombudsman Adrian Usher identified concerns about staff failing to follow guidance during welfare checks, although he could not confirm this would have changed the outcome.
Continued criminal activity behind bars
The ombudsman said there was significant evidence that Digweed remained involved in prison drug culture and was found in possession of a mobile phone on six occasions during his time at HMP Garth. The prison received intelligence that he organised drone deliveries of drugs and other illicit items into the facility.
Digweed, who used the EncroChat handle "Diorpaw", was initially remanded at HMP Liverpool and later held at Forest Bank and Leeds before being transferred to Garth in June 2022. Prison security intelligence indicated he was involved in organising drone deliveries of contraband including mobile phones and had threatened other prisoners.
In February 2024, an intelligence report showed that certain prisoners on C Wing, including Digweed, were making about £400,000 to £500,000 every couple of months from contraband sent into the prison by drone. However, the intelligence also showed Digweed was under pressure from other inmates.
Assault and missed warning signs
In November 2023, CCTV showed four prisoners entering Digweed's cell, and he was later found with slash injuries. He claimed he had fallen over, but his security file indicated the incident was thought to be drug debt and gang related. A prison officer said the suspects were associates of a fellow inmate thought to be in debt to Digweed.
A neighbouring prisoner said Digweed enjoyed taking cocaine in prison and could obtain it relatively easily. The neighbour added he did not think Digweed was in debt or under pressure because he was "in the right circle".
Investigators found Digweed's only prison record of suicidal thoughts was from when he was on remand. However, in September 2023, while under the influence of cocaine, he harmed himself by making superficial cuts to his chest. The ombudsman found no evidence that the prison had started suicide and self-harm support procedures, known as ACCT.
Final days and missed opportunities
Staff removed Digweed's prison laptop days after his self-harm incident because of screen damage, and he had not received a replacement by the time of his death. This meant he had less control over ordering items from the prison shop, adding credit to his telephone account, and choosing meals.
Recordings of his prison calls in the days before his death suggested his relationship with his partner was under strain. However, in calls to a female relative he sounded "in a good mood" and joked he had "a few years left in me". His partner said he had not indicated he was feeling low or suicidal when they last spoke on April 12.
Digweed was last seen alive during a routine count of prisoners at 7.39pm on April 12. At 5.17am the following day, his observation panel was covered, and again at 9.07am during a welfare check. Staff took no action. At around 11.30am, an officer unlocked the cell but did not look inside. Digweed was found dead by a prisoner.
On the day of his death, the prison received intelligence that Digweed was "wanted" by organised crime gangs outside the prison and was worried about debts. In text messages to his partner, he referred to being "sick of" things.
Ombudsman findings and recommendations
The ombudsman found a missed opportunity to identify Digweed's risk following the September 2023 incident. Mr Usher said the prison had "dealt with individuals" involved in the roll and welfare checks but was concerned about a "more widespread problem with how staff respond to finding covered observation panels", meaning checks were not being done correctly.
The clinical reviewer concluded healthcare Digweed received for his physical health was equivalent to community standards. However, his mental healthcare was deemed moderate, and he did not receive follow-up care after harming himself in September 2023.
The PPO made several recommendations, including that the governor should demonstrate how the prison will challenge blocked observation panels to comply with local processes and implement an assurance process to ensure all staff look through the observation panel before unlocking cells. The Prison Service previously confirmed it would cooperate fully with the PPO investigation.
Digweed, previously of Harlech Road in Crosby, was arrested in March 2021 and convicted of seven counts of conspiracy to supply drugs and one count of money laundering. Prosecutors said he could be connected to the supply of at least 30 kilos of cocaine and 12 and a half kilos of heroin. He had denied being the user of the "Diorpaw" handle, but messages about his children's birthday parties helped identify him. Judge David Swinnerton described Digweed as a "proud dad" who behaved in a "close, loving and supportive" way towards his family while blighting communities across the UK with drugs.
