Christine was jailed for shoplifting shampoo and cheese – only days later she was found dead

A mother who was jailed for shoplifting shampoo and cheese took her own life just days later after her calls for help were ignored by prison staff.

Christine McDonald was locked up at HMP Styal in Cheshire on 1 March 2019. She was jailed for two offenses of theft of small items – shampoo, bubble bath, hair dye and cheese and one offense of failing to comply with community requirements suspended sentence, the Liverpool Echo reports.

She was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital the following day due to concerns raised during a health care assessment at the prison. She was sent back to prison later that day, and around 11:00 pm that evening, two prison guards found Christine in her cell with self-inflicted injuries.

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She was only 55 when she died the following day on March 3. An inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court concluded earlier this month that neglect contributed to Christine taking her own life, with the jury finding that staff failed to follow appropriate healthcare guidelines.

Her daughter Cheri said her mum was “left alone screaming for help”. She said: “The prison and medical staff had a responsibility and an obligation to at least make sure she stayed alive, which they didn’t do.”

A Prison Service spokesman said the coroner’s findings “will be carefully considered”. The inquest, which ended on May 10, heard how Christine was sent to HMP Styal for a 12-week sentence.

A mum who struggled with opiate addiction has been arrested in Blackpool with another of her daughters after falling from a third floor with serious injuries. Upon arrival at the prison, her demeanor was described as anxious, she was suffering from opiate withdrawal and worried about her daughter being hurt.

The inquest heard evidence that opioid addiction is a serious health problem and rapid detoxification should be avoided, with further observation for those withdrawing. Christine suffered from severe withdrawal symptoms manifested by low mood.

She was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester the following day after concerns were raised during a health care assessment at the prison. She was subsequently returned to HMP Styal.

The jury heard that her drug records were not read – and information about her daughter’s welfare was not passed. After her return to hospital, the prison was to carry out a clinical assessment and arrange for further overnight observation.

The inquest heard that two prison guards found her in her cell at around 11pm. She was found to have a pulse and was taken back to Wythenshawe Hospital.

An inquest heard evidence that Christine had requested a nurse half an hour before she was found, but prison guards failed to comply with her request. She was confirmed dead the following day, surrounded by her family.

The jury concluded that Christine’s gross failure to provide care and attention directly contributed to her death. The jury cited a number of failings including: errors in communication between medical staff and prison staff; non-compliance with clinical guidelines for drug addiction treatment; and news concerning her daughter’s welfare was to be communicated.

At the conclusion of the inquest, her daughter Cheri said: “My mum was left alone and screaming for help, dismissed and ignored by staff until she was able to cope and end her suffering… Prison and medical staff had a responsibility and a duty of care to at least make sure she stayed live, and they didn’t.

“We will never get over the loss of my mum, but I am speaking out in the hope that this will not happen again, and if it does, other families will realize that there are ways to identify and expose any failure and stand up against it.”

Christine, who was a mother of four, was described as “kind, loving, with a sense of humour” and someone who “always puts others before herself”. Her family was supported by INQUEST.

Jordan Ferdinand-Sargeant, caseworker at INQUEST, said: “Christine was a vulnerable woman in prison for stealing items of small value: shampoo, bubble bath, hair dye and cheese. Two days later she was dead. She needed care and support, not punishment prison.

“Time and time again we see the dangerous and fatal consequences of sending women to prison, not least those with complex needs like Christine. Deaths at Styal prison are at a record high and two suicides in December once again raise serious questions about the health and safety of women.

“We must urgently abolish prisons and redirect resources to holistic, gender-sensitive community services. Only then can we end the deaths of women in prison.”

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Christine McDonald. We are investing £14 million to improve security in women’s prisons and strengthen support for those at risk of self-harm and suicide. We will consider the coroner’s findings carefully and respond in a timely manner.”

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