What were the findings of the inquiry into Luke Ashcroft's death?

The inquiry found staff failed to properly assess Mr. Ashcroft's medical fitness for segregation and that a prison officer falsified records of required cell checks.

How did the prison officer falsify records?

The prison officer fabricated log entries to conceal his failure to conduct the required hourly checks on Mr. Ashcroft's cell.

What was the cause of Luke Ashcroft's death?

A jury inquest concluded that Mr. Ashcroft died by misadventure, not with the intention of ending his life.

Home / Crime and Justice / Prisoner Died After Officer Falsified Checks

Prisoner Died After Officer Falsified Checks

26 Mar

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Summary

Prison officer falsified records of hourly cell checks.
Inquiry found staff failed to assess medical fitness for segregation.
Prisoner died by misadventure, not suicide, inquest found.

Prisoner Died After Officer Falsified Checks

Luke Ashcroft, imprisoned in 2018 for burglaries and suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, died in June 2020 after a mental health crisis at HMP Lincoln. He had informed healthcare workers of suicidal thoughts and was placed on suicide monitoring procedures. A prison officer falsified records, neglecting to conduct the required five hourly cell checks.

Mr. Ashcroft was discovered unconscious in his cell on June 24, 2020, and passed away a week later. A jury inquest in March 2026 concluded he died by misadventure. An inquiry by the Prison & Probation Ombudsman found staff failed to assess his medical fitness for segregation and noted he was unobserved for 18 minutes before being found unresponsive.

The consultant psychiatrist assessed Mr. Ashcroft as experiencing an acute psychotic episode with delusional parasitosis. Concerns were raised about the suitability of his segregation, with a nurse marking both 'Yes' and 'No' on a critical health screen. The Prison Service stated it has accepted recommendations and made changes to support vulnerable prisoners.

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