Sex Offender Died After Hitting Head in Prison Toilet During Suicide Attempt
A convicted sex offender died after hitting his head in a prison toilet during a suicide attempt, a new report has concluded. George Bull, 73, was found semi-conscious on the floor of a toilet at HMP Stafford in Staffordshire while serving an 18-year sentence.
Details of the Incident
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report revealed that on May 26, 2023, Bull attended a Senior Support Group and went to use the toilet. A prisoner waiting outside heard a bang and alerted staff, who found Bull on the floor and semi-conscious.
It became apparent he had attempted suicide by hanging, but the ligature had broken, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head, the report stated. Bull suffered a subdural bleed and was taken to hospital, where he died three days later on May 29.
Background and Prison Care
Bull was originally charged with sex offences and remanded at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green in 2012 before being transferred to HMP Stafford. The report noted that he had previously been identified as at risk of suicide and self-harm.
The Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) procedures provided good support to Mr Bull, the ombudsman said. Case reviews were multi-disciplinary and involved all caregivers, with care map actions addressing his concerns about ongoing pain and medical appointments.
ACCT procedures ended when staff considered his risk had sufficiently decreased, and they had no particular concerns about him in the days and weeks before his death. The clinical reviewer concluded that the care Bull received at HMP Stafford was good and equivalent to what he could have expected in the community.
Response and Aftermath
Nursing staff cared for Bull until paramedics arrived at 3:40 pm on the day of the incident. At the hospital, it was confirmed he had a bleed on the brain, but there were no plans to operate. His condition deteriorated over the weekend, and hospital staff provided palliative care to make him more comfortable before his death.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in managing suicide risks within the prison system, despite established support procedures.
