An inmate at Strangeways prison tragically ended his life after revealing to his family that he was only allowed out of his cell for 90 minutes daily, according to a recent report. Lee Gorst, 35, was discovered hanged in his cell at HMP Manchester on April 25, 2023. Gorst, initially sentenced to 13 years and four months in 2013 for attempted murder and false imprisonment, had been released on parole in January 2020 but was later recalled to prison in June 2021 for robbery, unlawful wounding, and threats to kill.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s report on his death shed light on Gorst’s complaints about the prison conditions. Gorst referred to Strangeways as ‘a dump’ and alleged that knives were being smuggled in by drones nightly. He also expressed shock at the high level of violence within the prison. Following an investigation, a coroner ruled his death as suicide, with the PPO report indicating that the prison was operating under a ‘restricted regime’ at the time, leading to extensive periods of isolation for Gorst.
The report further highlighted the dire state of Strangeways, labeling it as the most violent and squalid prison in the UK. Concerns were raised about the infiltration of organized crime groups and the widespread drug supply in the outdated facility. This alarming situation prompted the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to issue an ‘Urgent Notification’ to the Secretary of State for Justice regarding the deteriorating conditions at the prison.
Gorst, who had voiced his struggles with the lengthy sentence and the prison environment to his partner, had reportedly not received a proper induction upon his return to Strangeways. The lack of key work and prolonged periods of isolation in his cell had a detrimental effect on Gorst, as mentioned in the report. His body was discovered by an officer during a routine check, and medical assistance was delayed due to security procedures within the prison.
Leading up to his death, Gorst had expressed his despair to his partner, citing his depressive state, dissatisfaction with the prison, and concerns about the lack of time spent outside his cell. The report also revealed that Gorst had made preparations for his suicide, including marking his calendar and writing a letter to his family. The distressing conditions and isolation he experienced were further compounded by a violent incident in the prison just before his death.
In response to the tragedy, the Prison Service acknowledged the need for improvement in prisoner welfare at HMP Manchester, with increased staff deployment to enhance prisoners’ out-of-cell time. The report concluded with a reminder of the Samaritans’ 24-hour helpline for emotional support, emphasizing the importance of mental health resources during challenging times.