The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today charged a Leeds prison custody manager, nurse and healthcare staff with misconduct in public office and neglect in connection with the death of Chris Pearson, who died following restraint.
Christopher Pearson, known to his family as Chris, was 42 years old when he died in Leeds prison on 10 September 2021. Chris died from cardiac arrest, having suffered multiple injuries, during a period of restraint by prison officers. Healthcare staff were involved in monitoring his medical condition.
Since Chris’ death, 35 people have died at Leeds prison.
Chris had mental ill health and had self-harmed some 16 times in the 5/6 weeks leading up to his death. The prison had placed him on a safety plan for vulnerable prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm (known as an ACCT).
On 9 September 2021, Chris damaged his cell. Prison officers moved him to a different location, and eventually to segregation. En route, Chris collapsed and had to be carried. After approximately one and a half hours in the segregation cell, he was found in cardiac arrest and later died.
The police and CPS began their investigation into Chris’ death in 2021. Now, they have announced that three members of prison and healthcare staff will be charged as follows:
A Custody Manager is charged with Misconduct in Public Office
A Nurse, is charged with ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker under s20 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
A member of prison healthcare is charged with ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker under s20 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
They will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on 9 December 2025 at 10am.
Ruth Bundey of Harrison Bundey Solicitors who represents Chris’ mother, said: “The family have had to wait for four years and two months for this decision since Chris died. Such a timeframe is unacceptable. I only hope that any future police investigations into deaths at Leeds or any other prison can be resolved far more swiftly, for the benefit of all concerned.”
Jodie Anderson, Senior Caseworker at INQUEST, said: "Chris died in deeply concerning circumstances in prison, following restraint by officers. As with most deaths in prison, the events are hidden from public view and scrutiny. Prosecutions for families are extremely rare, and justice feels elusive. We welcome this decision. However, delay in reaching this stage is unacceptable and a cause of unnecessary suffering for a bereaved family who have waited four years for answers.”
ENDS
For more information contact Leila Hagmann on leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk.
Chris’s mother is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Ruth Bundey of Harrison Bundey, Leeds. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker, Jodie Anderson.
Other prosecutions following deaths in prison
Prosecutions of prison and healthcare staff following deaths in prison are extremely rare.
Mesut Olgun, died a self-inflicted death at HMP Hewell in June 2018 on his first night in prison. In 2023, a former prison worker was convicted of misconduct in a public office after failing to properly check on Mesut. Media coverage.
Anthony Paine died a self-inflicted death in HMP Liverpool in February 2018. An inquest later found he died due to neglect by the prison. Two members of prison management were charged, one with gross negligence manslaughter, and another with breaches of health and safety legislation. They were both acquitted in November 2023. Media coverage.
Robert Fenlon, 36, died a self-inflicted death whilst on remand at Woodhill prison on 5 March 2016. The CPS had considered corporate manslaughter charges but decided that there was not enough evidence to bring charges. Last year, an inquest jury concluded that the reprehensible failures by two senior prison officers involved amounted to unlawful killing by gross negligence manslaughter.
Media release.
Jamie Osborne, 19, died a self-inflicted death at HMP Lewes in 2015. Sussex Partnership NHS Trust was fined £200,000 after it admitted failing to provide care and treatment for patients in a safe manner in a prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under health and social care laws. Media coverage.
John Ahmed, 42, died following restraint by prison officers at HMP Manchester in 2015. An inquest found that prison officers used unlawful force against John. In a prosecution brought by the CPS, one prison officer was convicted of perjury and forgery, whilst another officer was acquitted of the same charges last year. Media coverage.
Chris Pearson
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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today charged a Leeds prison custody manager, nurse and healthcare staff with misconduct in public office and neglect in connection with the death of Chris Pearson, who died following restraint.
Christopher Pearson, known to his family as Chris, was 42 years old when he died in Leeds prison on 10 September 2021. Chris died from cardiac arrest, having suffered multiple injuries, during a period of restraint by prison officers. Healthcare staff were involved in monitoring his medical condition.
Since Chris’ death, 35 people have died at Leeds prison.
Chris had mental ill health and had self-harmed some 16 times in the 5/6 weeks leading up to his death. The prison had placed him on a safety plan for vulnerable prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm (known as an ACCT).
On 9 September 2021, Chris damaged his cell. Prison officers moved him to a different location, and eventually to segregation. En route, Chris collapsed and had to be carried. After approximately one and a half hours in the segregation cell, he was found in cardiac arrest and later died.
The police and CPS began their investigation into Chris’ death in 2021. Now, they have announced that three members of prison and healthcare staff will be charged as follows:
A Custody Manager is charged with Misconduct in Public Office
A Nurse, is charged with ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker under s20 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
A member of prison healthcare is charged with ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker under s20 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
They will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on 9 December 2025 at 10am.
Ruth Bundey of Harrison Bundey Solicitors who represents Chris’ mother, said: “The family have had to wait for four years and two months for this decision since Chris died. Such a timeframe is unacceptable. I only hope that any future police investigations into deaths at Leeds or any other prison can be resolved far more swiftly, for the benefit of all concerned.”
Jodie Anderson, Senior Caseworker at INQUEST, said: "Chris died in deeply concerning circumstances in prison, following restraint by officers. As with most deaths in prison, the events are hidden from public view and scrutiny. Prosecutions for families are extremely rare, and justice feels elusive. We welcome this decision. However, delay in reaching this stage is unacceptable and a cause of unnecessary suffering for a bereaved family who have waited four years for answers.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information contact Leila Hagmann on leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk.
Chris’s mother is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Ruth Bundey of Harrison Bundey, Leeds. They are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker, Jodie Anderson.
Other prosecutions following deaths in prison
Prosecutions of prison and healthcare staff following deaths in prison are extremely rare.
In 2023, the CPS reported that a former prison officer at HMP Lincoln had been sentenced for falsifying records of welfare checks following the self-inflicted death of a prisoner. The officer pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office. Media coverage.
Mesut Olgun, died a self-inflicted death at HMP Hewell in June 2018 on his first night in prison. In 2023, a former prison worker was convicted of misconduct in a public office after failing to properly check on Mesut. Media coverage.
Anthony Paine died a self-inflicted death in HMP Liverpool in February 2018. An inquest later found he died due to neglect by the prison. Two members of prison management were charged, one with gross negligence manslaughter, and another with breaches of health and safety legislation. They were both acquitted in November 2023. Media coverage.
Robert Fenlon, 36, died a self-inflicted death whilst on remand at Woodhill prison on 5 March 2016. The CPS had considered corporate manslaughter charges but decided that there was not enough evidence to bring charges. Last year, an inquest jury concluded that the reprehensible failures by two senior prison officers involved amounted to unlawful killing by gross negligence manslaughter. Media release.
Jamie Osborne, 19, died a self-inflicted death at HMP Lewes in 2015. Sussex Partnership NHS Trust was fined £200,000 after it admitted failing to provide care and treatment for patients in a safe manner in a prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under health and social care laws. Media coverage.
John Ahmed, 42, died following restraint by prison officers at HMP Manchester in 2015. An inquest found that prison officers used unlawful force against John. In a prosecution brought by the CPS, one prison officer was convicted of perjury and forgery, whilst another officer was acquitted of the same charges last year. Media coverage.
Ryan Harvey, 23, died after ligaturing at HMP Woodhill in 2015. A prison officer was acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter at the Old Bailey in 2018. Media coverage.
Wayne Moore, 46, collapsed in HMP Nottingham and was pronounced dead in hospital on 16 December 2013. Three prison officers were acquitted of misconduct in a public office in 2017. Media coverage.
Christopher Oldham died a self-inflicted death whilst on remand at HMP Preston in April 2011. Two prison officers admitted misconduct in a public office and were given suspended sentences in 2012. Media coverage.
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