Paramedics delayed by searches at HMP Frankland gates

Douglas Clayton died in his HMP Frankland cell on December 22, 2024, after falling off his toilet and becoming unresponsive in the early hours of the morning.

Staff began CPR on the 80-year-old, who was jailed for 22 years for historic offences from the 1970s, and an ambulance was called to the scene before he was pronounced dead at 4.16am.

An inquest into his death at Crook Coroners' Court on December 15 concluded Clayton died of natural causes, namely a lung infection and a number of health issues, which caused a "slow decline" in his health.

Now, a Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report has revealed that paramedics called in the minutes before his death were needlessly searched upon entry to the jail.

It is said they "could have arrived more promptly" if they had been waved through, as policy states paramedics "should not be searched when entering the prison".

Prison and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher wrote: "When the first set of paramedics arrived at the prison, it took 10 minutes for them to get from the prison gate to Mr Clayton because they were searched for technical devices.

"Although this did not affect the emergency care given to Mr Clayton, the ambulance crew could have arrived more promptly if prison staff had adhered to the policy."

He added: "The Safer Custody team told us that a mandatory search would have been conducted to ensure no unauthorised persons were on the vehicle and to ensure the ambulance staff had no personal mobile phones in possession as per their policy.

"However, according to Frankland’s Escorting Vehicles Policy, ambulance paramedics should not be searched when entering the prison, and the policy is not clear about whether technical devices should be seized at the gate before entering the prison."

Clayton's inquest heard that on December 21, the day before he died, staff raised concerns about his lack of eating, but he said he was "feeling better" and was locked in his cell by 5pm.

He was then subject to checks through the night, but he activated panic alarm at 3.24am on December 22 that saw officers and members of the healthcare team rush to his cell.

A statement from acting detective sergeant Coburn of Durham Police said: "A prison officer looked through the window and found him sitting on the toilet. Two others from the healthcare unit responded to assist the officer.

"Before they entered his cell, Clayton had fallen from the toilet on to the floor."

He died of a lung infection brought by COPD and coronary heart disease.

Following Clayton's death, the prison's service say they are working on "swifter searches" for ambulance staff.

A Prisons Service Spokesperson said: "HMP Frankland holds some of the country’s most dangerous offenders and it is vital we maintain strict security procedures to ensure the public is protected.

"We have taken action to ensure swifter searches for ambulance staff that do not compromise on public safety."