Prisoner died by suicide after terror order impact, inquest finds

An inquest jury has concluded that prisoner Akhtar Uddin died by suicide after the imposition of Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIM) had a substantial impact on his mental state. Mr Uddin, 35, died in HMP Wandsworth on Christmas Day 2021, having been jailed the previous year for breaching his TPIM order.

The jury at Inner West London Coroner's Court also found that the prison service failed to provide Mr Uddin with the necessary support. This failure was attributed to a lack of awareness among prison staff regarding the specific restrictions and potential psychological effects of TPIMs.

TPIM Restrictions and Mental State

TPIMs are measures used by the government to control individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism who cannot be prosecuted or deported. These can include electronic tagging, curfews, relocation, and restrictions on internet use, finances, and associations. Breaches can lead to imprisonment.

The inquest heard that Mr Uddin believed his TPIM was imposed due to reckless statements made under the influence of drugs, not terrorism. He had over 20 previous criminal convictions, none for terrorism offences. He breached his TPIM 12 times, primarily by withdrawing more money than permitted, which he largely spent on drugs, as reported by the BBC.

Jurors were satisfied that the imposition of the TPIM and its restrictive nature had a significant impact on Mr Uddin's mental state. They also found that the fear of a likely re-imposition of such measures, and their potentially never-ending nature, contributed to his distress in prison.

Failure to Provide Support

Evidence presented at the inquest indicated that prison services were unaware of the TPIM restrictions and their likely impact on Mr Uddin. A governor at HMP Wandsworth accepted that a lack of staff knowledge had resulted in "unintentionally cruel" treatment. Mr Uddin's sister, Jasmine, stated that counter-terrorism officers had questioned him in prison and suggested he would never be released from the TPIM.

Dr Richard Latham, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who appeared as an expert witness, concluded that Mr Uddin had an undiagnosed personality disorder and associated psychological vulnerabilities, leading to impulsiveness and paranoia. He noted that TPIMs are designed to create isolation, which can exacerbate psychological vulnerability and lead to emotional isolation.

Preventing Future Deaths Report

Coroner Bernard Richmond KC stated that he would be issuing a preventing future deaths report to the government. This is due to concerns about a potential risk to other individuals subjected to terrorism control measures, highlighting a paucity of support for those under TPIMs.

Mr Uddin's family, through their solicitors, welcomed the inquest's findings. They expressed hope that the outcome will lead to meaningful changes for individuals subject to the TPIM regime, stating that "nothing can bring back their loving son, brother and uncle."

A government spokesperson described TPIMs as a last resort for managing terrorist risks from individuals who cannot be prosecuted or deported, emphasising that they are carefully considered and strictly focused on preventing involvement in terrorist activity.