The death that should be a 'reminder' for Forest Bank Prison

A prisoner was able to access drugs with 'apparent ease' before he was found dead in Forest Bank prison, according to an ombudsman report.

Serial burglar William Robinson, 55, died at the Salford jail in April 2020. A report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said that Robinson, who had a history of drug abuse, passed away after suffering 'an upper airway obstruction and synthetic cannabinoid toxicity'.

Kimberley Bingham, the acting Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, said it was 'troubling' that Robinson had been able to access 'psychoactive substances with apparent ease' in the prison.

She wrote in her report: "I am satisfied that Mr Robinson received appropriate care at Forest Bank. Prison and healthcare staff ensured that he was aware of the risks of using illicit substances and reminded him of the negative impact they could have.

"Mr Robinson refused support from the substance misuse service and his death appears to have been an accidental result of using drugs. However, it is troubling that Mr Robinson was able to obtain psychoactive substances with apparent ease at Forest Bank, particularly during the COVID-19 restrictions."

Robinson had been jailed for three years and eight months in September 2018, after admitting burglary and breaching a criminal behaviour order. He stole eight laptops from the offices of the Crown Prosecution Service in Sunlight House, Manchester city centre, in August 2018. The devices contained information about criminal cases.

He had sneaked into the building in the early hours by ‘tailgating’ someone legitimately entering through a side door of the Quay Street building. Robinson, who had 67 previous convictions for 144 offences dating back to 1978 - 53 of which for burglary - then