County Durham prison report makes recommendations following death of female prisoner at HMP Low Newton
A female prisoner who died from brain inflammation caused by the herpes virus smuggled 18 bags of drugs into prison up her rectum.
Lisa Sherrington, 50, died in hospital from brain inflammation caused by the herpes virus on August 26, 2022. Sherrington had been remanded in HMP Low Newton on July 25 after being charged with possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.
A report recently published by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) states when Sherrington arrived at Low Newton, a reception officer carried out a rub down search of her while she remained in her wheelchair. The officer also searched the wheelchair.
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Sherrington was moved to a cell in the healthcare unit so she could be monitored more easily. But the following day suffered a seizure and was sent to hospital.
The report states it was whilst she was in hospital "18 packages of drugs were found in her rectum." Staff searched Sherrington’s cell and found four packs of antibiotics in the pouch at the back of her wheelchair.
Sherrington returned to Low Newton on July 27 but on the morning of August 2 she suffered another seizure and was sent to hospital.
She died in hospital on August 26. A hospital doctor recorded her cause of death as herpes simplex encephalitis (brain inflammation caused by the herpes virus).
The clinical reviewer found the care Sherrington received was of "good standard" and the equivalent to which she would have received in the community.
Her death was due to a viral infection and there was no indication the drugs contributed to her death.
But the report adds: "Nevertheless, we are concerned that Ms Sherrington was able to smuggle drugs into Low Newton. Body scanners, which can detect drugs secreted internally, are not currently cleared for use in women’s prisons.
"We therefore accept that it would have been difficult to detect the drugs that Ms Sherrington had secreted internally. However, we are concerned that Ms Sherrington was able to bring in four packs of antibiotics through reception.
"Searching procedures for wheelchair users should be reviewed.
"The Governor should review the searching procedures for prisoners arriving in wheelchairs and ensure that reception staff are fully aware of the procedures they must follow in these circumstances."
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Lisa Sherrington.
“We have implemented all of the Prison and Probation Ombudsman’s recommendations including reviewing and publishing guidance to all staff on the process for searching prisoners in wheelchairs.”