“Inadequate” diagnosis and treatment of an inmate’s mental health condition was among the probable causes of his suicide in prison, an inquest has found. Frazer Williams, described as “loyal, protective, and loving” by his family, was a prisoner at HMP Lewes for four months. In that time, his mental health deteriorated and he was monitored under Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) plan, which is part of the prison system’s suicide and self-harm safeguarding process.
The 28-year-old, who was an inmate in the prison in Brighton Road, Lewes, spent periods of his incarceration from June 4, 2021, to October 4 that year under constant supervision. Frazer, from Andover, ended up taking his own life on March 7, 2022. Frazer Williams was 'loyal, protective and loving', his family said (Image: Family handout) In a three-and-a-half week inquest at Dorset Coroner’s Court in Bournemouth, which concluded on May 17 this year, the court heard from a psychiatry witness.
In September 2021, while at HMP Lewes, Frazer was also diagnosed with bulimia and a personality disorder. The psychiatry witness believed that, based on the records available to practitioners at that time, this was a misdiagnosis, and that Frazer’s presentation was more consistent with a severe depressive episode with psychotic features. Frazer was released from HMP Lewes into the community on October 4.
However, he was remanded back into custody at HMP Winchester just three days later, on October 7.
