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Independent investigation into an incident of serious assault involving ‘HM’

Independent investigation into an incident of serious assault involving ‘HM’1 at HMP High Down on 30 October 2015

The report of the independent investigation conducted by Andy Smith into the serious assault on ‘HM’ at HMP High Down on 30 October 2015 is published here.  Also published are the responses to the investigation from those responsible for commissioning and providing custodial and healthcare services at the prison.

On 30 October 2015, ‘HM’ was involved in an altercation with another prisoner which resulted in him being struck and knocked to the floor where he struck the back of his head. An ambulance was called and ‘HM’ was taken to hospital.  ‘HM’ sustained a serious and long-term brain injury and sadly died before the independent investigation concluded. 

In order to meet the State’s investigative obligation under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Andy Smith, a former Assistant Chief Inspector at HM Inspectorate of Probation, was commissioned to conduct an independent investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the serious assault on ‘HM’ and to see what lessons can be learned. 

The investigation report completed by Andy Smith is published, along with the responses to the  investigation from those responsible for commissioning and providing custodial and healthcare services at the prison.


  1. A pseudonym is used to protect the identity of the individual concerned. ↩︎