Prisoner's TB death: Missed warnings exposed

An inquest has revealed critical missed opportunities by prison and healthcare staff to detect tuberculosis in a 32-year-old inmate at HMP Lowdham Grange. Alvaro Mendoza Sillerico, from Bolivia, died on November 18, 2024, from a bowel rupture caused by disseminated TB. The jury concluded that his significant weight loss should have prompted earlier intervention.

Despite a TB outbreak in 2021, Sillerico did not initially participate in screening. While he understood English, a follow-up regarding the outbreak screening was not pursued, potentially preventing him from identifying latent TB. Missed appointments between October 2023 and September 2024 further compounded the issue, indicating that his access to healthcare was not appropriately managed.

The inquest highlighted insufficient staffing and chaotic processes at the Category B prison, which was taken over by the Ministry of Justice in December 2023. A lack of formal communication channels between prison and healthcare staff hindered early detection of Sillerico's deteriorating health. He was admitted to the hospital weighing nearly 30kg less than when he arrived, exhibiting the same TB strain from the 2021 outbreak.