Shropshire prisoner died after being found hanging, inquest told
An inmate at Shropshire's Stoke Heath prison died after he was found hanging in his locked cell, an inquest heard.
Derrick Rose-Fowler, 44, was discovered hanging in his cell at the prison near Market Drayton. Prison warders carried out CPR and he was rushed to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford but was pronounced dead.
The inquest at Shrewsbury Town Football Club heard from Mr Rose-Fowler's mother, Aveline, who said her son had asked "under duress" to transfer money to someone on the outside of the prison.
Another prisoner told the inquest that Mr Rose-Fowler, who was six-foot one and heavily built, was being bullied the night before his death.
The jury heard from prisoners and warders who said that although bullying was rife in the prison, Mr Rose-Fowler had not suffered from it.
The jury returned a narrative conclusion that Mr Rose-Fowler died, on June 5, as a result of an intended act that had unintended consequences.
The inquest heard Mr Rose-Fowler had a history of self harm, anxiety, depression and had been receiving medication from the prison's medical staff. But following a review, medication was changed causing him great distress.
Mr John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, summing up on Friday, said
"Mr Rose-Fowler gave no indication that he intended to die. He gave no indication of self harm and he left no note. His actions were described as unexpected and out of character.
"Was bullying at the prison properly considered? Was there evidence he was being bullied? If he was, was proper action taken? Several witnesses have said bullying was rife at the prison.
"It is clear that not all of the staff knew all the history of Mr Rose-Fowler. Some knew of the self harm in 2014.
"Did those in contact with Mr Rose-Fowler know all they needed to know or was that knowledge flawed?"
