“There is a lack of national policy, and local guidance at HMP Guys Marsh, to inform staff…”

The coroner’s concerns

– (1) There is a lack of national policy, and local guidance at HMP Guys Marsh, to inform staff working in prisons of the dangers of illicitly brewed alcohol, also known as hooch. There is also a lack of policy and guidance to assist those working within the prisoner estate with the management and governance of the access to, and use of, illicitly brewed alcohol. Illicitly brewed alcohol is a common substance across the prisoner estate. Evidence was given at the Inquest that in the month of September 2022, 215.5 litres of illicitly brewed alcohol were seized at HMP Guys Marsh. Evidence was given that Hooch continues to be a common problem in prisons. Illicitly brewed alcohol in prison is a substance made from items which are readily and legitimately available to prisoners. Hooch was described as a very, very dangerous substance during the course of the evidence and as is clear from the cause of his death, was central to the death of Sheldon. Evidence was given that it has sedative effects which if taken with certain medications can increase the sedative effects. Evidence was given that the policies in place concerning the possession and use of illicit substances within the prisoner estate at the time of Sheldon’s death, and those in place now, focus on drugs or medication, but are silent in relation to alcohol. I am concerned that this lack of guidance could lead to a future death in prison custody (2) Prisoners can have access to certain medication to hold in their possession which could be accessed by other prisoners and there is a lack of national policy, and local policy at HMP Guys Marsh, from a healthcare and prison perspective, around the governance of medication held in possession in the prison estate. Evidence was heard that when a person is prescribed medication in prison, it can either be taken under supervision, or a prisoner can be provided with the medication to hold in their possession, in their cell. In these cases, the prisoner is responsible for the safety of that medication. Prior to being provided with medication in their possession a risk assessment is undertaken upon the prisoner to assess the risks associated with the drug and also the risks associated with prisoner. Whilst medications defined as controlled drugs would not be given in possession, it is possible to have medication that could cause death in possession. Although Sheldon was not prescribed the medications that caused his death, evidence was given some of those medications are suitable to be prescribed to a prisoner in possession. It is not known how Sheldon accessed the medication found in his system at the time of his death, other than to say he obtained it at HMP Guys Marsh. At HMP Guys Marsh, which may not be the case across the prisoner estate, a lockable cupboard is provided in cells for the storage of medication. Evidence was given that at times cells will be left insecure at HMP Guys Marsh when the prison is in a state of unlock, such as when prisoners collect meals or for example when they go for showers or are out of the cells on association. Evidence was given that prisoners go into each other's cells when they are in a state of unlock. Prisoners could therefore enter another prisoner's cell. If medication is not held securely in a lockable cupboard there is a risk that prisoners who are not prescribed medication, could access medication. Evidence was given at the Inquest that due to the chaotic life some prisoners lead, even when provided with lockable cupboards, cells at HMP Guys Marsh have been seen to contain medication that is not secure and is strewn all over the cell. The medication in Sheldon’s cell at the time of his death was found insecure in a Tupperware container. Further, if a medication prescribed to a prisoner is discontinued, evidence was heard that the onus is upon the prisoner returning any excess medication to the healthcare department at HMP Guys Marsh which may be the position in other prisons. The issues around securing of medication held in possession in a cell and the onus being upon prisoners to return unused medication, carries a risk of prisoners accessing unprescribed medication. At the time of Sheldon’s death he was not prescribed the medications found in his system and he had in his cell excessive amounts of medication he was prescribed and had previously been prescribed and discontinued. I am therefore concerned the lack of guidance and policy nationally, and locally at HMP Guys Marsh, on storage of in possession medication and what to do when a medication is discontinued to ensure prisoners do not continue to possess left over medication, could lead to future deaths. “6

An extract. Read the full report, including the circumstances of the death, on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website.

Source

judiciary.uk, Prevention of Future Deaths reports, 2025-0376

Added to Minute Book

8 Oct 2026

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, judiciary.uk. Open Government Licence v3.0