Forest Bank prisoner found dead in his cell had 'consumed various drugs'

An inmate who died in prison had 'consumed various drugs', an inquest heard. The body of Darren Rawlinson was found in his cell at Forest Bank prison in Salford on January 29, 2017.

The 38-year-old, originally from Stockport, had just two weeks of a three year sentence left to serve.

Area coroner Peter Sigee told the jury at the inquest at Bolton coroners court they were likely to hear evidence Mr Rawlinson had 'consumed various drugs while in detention, which more than minimally contributed to his death'. The inquest heard Mr Rawlinson’s body was found in cell 24 in the G1 wing at Forest Bank at 12.05pm on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

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Marie Durning, head of security and operations at Forest Bank, said in the months before his death the prison had received a number of intelligence reports that Mr Rawlinson was smuggling 'illicit substances' - including spice - into the prison through his job in the kitchens. During a search of Mr Rawlinson's cell, prompted by one of the intelligence reports, two tablets of unknown substance and some cigarettes papers were found.

But Ms Durning said there was no evidence to prove the smuggling allegations against Mr Rawlinson. The inquest also heard that Mr Rawlinson had a long history of drug use including heroin and crack cocaine.

When he transferred to Forest Bank from Lancaster Farms prison in April 2016 a urine test found traces of opiates and cocaine and he was also on a prescription for methadone.

In a statement Mr Rawlinson's mum Glynis Stokes said her son had been 'in prison for most of his adult life'. She described him as a 'social drug user' who