SIGNIFICANT failings were identified in the care of a prisoner who died at Les Nicolles.

An inquest concluded yesterday that Alan Schofield, 64, had died of natural causes in the prison early on 11 July 2008.

Judge Russell Finch said four specific points had emerged from the preponderance of evidence put before the hearing.

Communication at the prison was ineffective, especially between medical practitioners/nursing and disciplinary staff.

Members of the nursing staff had not dealt effectively, or at all, with Mr Schofield’s episodes of ill health on 30 June and 3 and 10 July.

That had been a very significant failing, he said.

Prison officers had not been aware of an instruction of 12 March 2008 with regard to entering cells alone – no general notice to staff had been issued.

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