Prison still struggling after pandemic

A PRISON boss has said his jail is “still struggling” to recover following the covid pandemic.

- BY AMY FENTON, JAMES MUTCH

Garth prison

Governor Lee Macmillan was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of 32 year old Aaron ‘Taylor, who was discovered dead in his cell at Garth Prison, Lancashire, on the morning of August 28, 2023.

Mr Taylor, from Preston, had been self-harming in the months leading up to his death but wasn’t subject to more frequent checks. On the eve of Mr Taylor's discovery in Cell 134 on Echo wing, he was checked by former Prison Officer Kevin Reid at 7.28pm.

However, Mr Reid neglected to perform the morning check, between 5am and 6am, attributing personal circumstances, including his wife seeking a divorce, as reasons for not properly executing his duties, reports Lancs Live.