A JURY have concluded that the death of a young prisoner who was found in his cell at HMP Risley was a result of suicide with no other parties to blame, despite delays in the health care system.

Bradley Charnley, 28, had a long history of mental health issues that stemmed from his childhood and was in and out of young offenders and prison during his short lifetime.

On August 13, 2020, Mr Charnley’s body was discovered by a prison guard doing a roll call check, hours after his death.

An inquest at Warrington Coroners Court investigated his death before a jury, lead by Assistant Coroner Alex Frodsham. The jury concluded on Friday morning, with a nominated spokesperson reading out the consensual outcome.

The statement said: “Bradley died on Aug 13, 2020 as a result of hanging.

“His death was certified at 5.45am. Bradley had a substance abuse history and self-harm. Bradley developed strong relationships especially with his key worker.

“Although there were delays within the health care system, it is unlikely that this had anything other than minimal impact on the events.

“We have heard that there have been changes in the health care system since. May Bradley rest in peace.”

During the inquest it was highlighted that Bradley had been assessed by a mental health nurse at the prison who had deemed him as not at risk of life, but that a follow up appointment that was meant to be made with him was never scheduled in.

The young offender had a drug abuse problem which began in prison and prison guards on the stand told how he was a ‘user of spice’ and had racked up several hundreds of pounds worth of debt.

Coroner Frodsham summarised the evidence heard, noting that in his final stay at HMP Risley, Bradley seemed more positive about leaving prison and starting a fresh.

Tests including blood and urine samples showed that at the time of death, Bradley was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that death had occurred ‘rapidly’.

Governor Quilliam, head of safer custody gave a clearer picture of life for prisoners in Risley during lockdown, noting that in-cell education and extra phone credit were some of the elements given to inmates to ease the blow of 23 hours a day confined in their cells.

Responding to the issue of spice in the prison, particular during that time, they added that it was being brought in through various avenues including ‘fake legal mail’ and even on drones.

Steve Lacey, head of healthcare said that ‘processes have changed’ and ‘lessons have been learnt’ since the death of Bradley, including a system being put in place now to manage mental health appointments so that ‘no prisoner gets lost in the system’.