A MOTHER says the outcome of an inquest into the death of her son who committed suicide at Bullingdon Prison has failed to deliver justice.

Sue Woods, 51, of The Grove in Abingdon, believes her son Stephen would be alive today if a series of mistakes had not been made by prison staff.

Yesterday, a jury concluded Mr Woods had committed suicide on August 28, 2004, but did not list any other contributing factors.

At the time of his suicide Mr Woods was a drug addict undergoing detox treatment in Bullingdon while awaiting sentence for theft.

He was found hanging in his cell two hours after being punished for flooding and refusing to return to his cell.

During the two-day inquest Oxford Coroner's Court heard how staff at the Bicester prison had repeatedly breached prison service rules.

The court heard:

  • The correct psychiatric assessment of his mental health - required by law - was not conducted when he first arrived.
  • Medical records which would have shown he had recently been admitted to Churchill Hospital in Oxford after self harming were not sought.
  • A second assessment to assess whether he was medically fit to be moved into a segregation cell was either not carried out or paperwork went missing.
  • A nurse, not the required doctor, assessed his psychiatric state to determine if he was fit to serve a punishment period in the segregation unit.
  • Prison officers failed to carry out hourly checks as required by law despite Mr Woods being in an agitated state after just receiving 12 days of solitary confinement.

Speaking after the inquest Mrs Woods said she felt "empty".

She added: "Stevie had clearly shown signs of having psychiatric problems - he had thrown food out of his window, flooded his cell and had been kicking and banging his door after he received his punishment.

"Clear failings in the system to pick up his problems were identified and I can't believe they have been overlooked - I'm absolutely gutted.

"If the right systems were in place to ensure the correct steps were taken I firmly believe that Stevie would be here today.

"I think the Prison Service was clearly negligent.

"Not just staff, but the system let Stephen down and it will continue to let other prisoners down."

In a statement the Prison Service said: "Every death in custody is a tragedy and our sympathies are with the family of Stephen Woods.

"We note the findings of the court and will continue to work hard to ensure we offer the best possible care and help for young men placed in our custody."

Verdict: Suicide.