HMP High Down Under the Microscope: A Shocking Tale of Neglect and Foreseeable Injury By Financial Fraudster News Investigations.
Her Majesty's Prison High Down, a facility operated under the purview of the Ministry of Justice, is now facing serious scrutiny following a disturbing incident that exposes alleged systemic negligence and a blatant disregard for prisoner safety.
Financial Fraudster News Investigations (FFN Investigations) has obtained details of a legal claim filed by former inmate Billy-Joe Smith, whose preventable accident within the prison walls paints a grim picture of hazardous conditions and a dismissive approach to prisoner well-being.
The particulars of claim reveal a shocking scenario on or before March 17, 2023, where Smith sustained a severe elbow injury after tripping on an elevated external electrical cable powering cell 4 on A-wing Houseblock 2. This wasn't a freak accident, according to the claimant. Instead, it appears to be a direct consequence of the Ministry of Justice allegedly implementing a dangerous makeshift electrical system and failing to provide even the most basic safety warnings.
A Cell of Hazard: Profit Over Prisoner Safety?
The claim alleges that, in a bid to maximize occupancy at HMP High Down, the Ministry of Justice negligently allowed cell 4 to become operational despite lacking internal electrical power. The solution? A hazardous external cable running from a nearby power point into the cell. Crucially, this cable was elevated at the point of entry, creating an obvious and foreseeable tripping hazard for anyone entering the cell.
What makes this alleged negligence even more egregious is the complete absence of any warning signs. No visible signage, no hazard tape, no notices – nothing to alert prisoners on A-wing Houseblock 2 to the potential danger lurking outside cell 4. This alleged oversight demonstrates a shocking lack of foresight and a potential prioritization of operational capacity over the fundamental safety of individuals detained within the facility.
Injury Compounded by Neglect: A Failure of Duty
The immediate aftermath of Smith's accident further compounds the allegations of negligence. According to the claim:
Inadequate Pain Relief: Despite suffering a severe elbow injury, Smith was initially prescribed only paracetamol by the prison's healthcare services – a treatment he asserts was wholly insufficient for his pain.
Denied Medical Care: Alarmingly, Smith claims he was denied appropriate and timely medical care, including a necessary referral to a hospital Accident and Emergency department for a proper assessment of his injury. This alleged denial of care raises serious concerns about the standard of healthcare provided within HMP High Down.
Dismissive Complaint Handling: When Smith lodged a complaint about the incident and the unsafe conditions, the Prison's response allegedly demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the legal process. The claim states that the Prison incorrectly asserted that a "criminal burden of proof" was required to substantiate the incident, completely disregarding the "balance of probabilities" standard applicable in civil disputes.
This response suggests a dismissive attitude towards legitimate safety concerns raised by prisoners.
It was only after persistent appeals that Smith was finally taken to hospital for a diagnosis – a significant delay that could have potentially exacerbated his injury and suffering. Even then, the initial inadequate pain relief and the misapplication of the burden of proof in the complaint response paint a picture of an institution seemingly unwilling to acknowledge or address its own failings.
A Pattern of Negligence?
FFN Investigations will be digging deeper into the safety record of HMP High Down and the Ministry of Justice's oversight of its prison facilities. Key questions we will be exploring include:
- Risk Assessment Procedures: What risk assessments were conducted regarding the use of external electrical cables in cells, and why were obvious hazards allegedly ignored?
- Health and Safety Protocols: Were Prison Service Instructions (PSI) and relevant policy frameworks adequately implemented and enforced at HMP High Down?
- Complaint Handling: What are the standard procedures for handling prisoner complaints, and why was an incorrect legal standard allegedly applied in Smith's case?
- Medical Provision: Are adequate and timely medical services readily available to prisoners at HMP High Down?
The case of Billy-Joe Smith raises serious questions about the Ministry of Justice's commitment to the safety and well-being of individuals in its care. The alleged negligence in creating a hazardous environment and the subsequent mishandling of the incident and the claimant's medical needs suggest a systemic failure that demands immediate attention and accountability.
FFN Investigations is committed to uncovering the truth behind these disturbing allegations and will continue to investigate the safety standards and practices within HMP High Down. The public has a right to know whether those entrusted with the care of prisoners are fulfilling their duty responsibly and ethically.
Have information about this case or concerns about conditions in Sodexo-run prisons? Contact our confidential investigations team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Financial Fraudster News Investigations has asked HMP High Down governor and the Ministry of Justice for comment all have so far declined.
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