The mother of a 22-year-old man found dead in his cell said she knew he would wouldn’t survive behind bars. Sarah O’Brien claimed that “all of the authorities responsible” for Jake Anthony O’Brien’s care let him down, as she remembered her “extremely precious” son.
Jake passed away at Salford Royal Hospital on 12 November 2024 after being discovered hanging in his cell at Forest Bank prison, an inquest was told. Sarah expressed her belief that ‘he was going to die’ the moment he was moved to Forest Bank, during her testimony at his inquest on Monday (20 April).
Jake, from Altrincham, was on remand at Forest Bank, a Category B men’s private prison in Pendlebury, Salford, having been accused of car crime offences, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He was transported to Salford Royal from the prison on 9 November and sadly died three days later. The inquest heard that Jake was transferred to Forest Bank from HMP Liverpool just three weeks prior to his death.
It also noted that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and that his injuries were consistent with death by hanging. While giving evidence at the inquest, Ms O’Brien described her first-born son as “extremely precious” and “very, very deeply loved.”
She revealed that while Jake was at HMP Liverpool, she grew increasingly worried about his mental health and had repeatedly reached out to both prisons, mental health services, her local MP, and other authorities to voice her concerns for his wellbeing.
Jake, who was suffering from psychosis and had a history of self-harm, ‘acted younger than his age’ and was ‘cognitively slower’, the inquest was told. The 22 year old also had a family history of schizophrenia and had taken ketamine around the time of his psychosis, the inquest was informed.
Jake’s mother revealed to the hearing that he had contracted encephalitis as a baby and was told by doctors that ‘if he lived he was going to be severely brain damaged’. He was also involved in a serious car accident in 2020 which may have resulted in brain damage, the inquest learned.
Ms O’Brien stated that when she heard Jake was being transferred from HMP Liverpool to Forest Bank, she knew it marked ‘the start of the end of his life’. She said: “I can’t even tell you the feeling that I had. Nobody listened and he ended up dead.”
While incarcerated, Jake, who had ADHD and was highly likely to have autism, was experiencing psychosis and having delusions, the inquest was told.
Ms O’Brien shared with the hearing how she would talk to Jake over the phone and try to comfort him, as well as emailing councillors, hospitals and other professionals to try and secure help for him.
She added that she was hoping he would be moved to Edenfield, a medium secure service providing care and treatment for individuals with enduring mental health needs.
The inquest also heard how Jake had been evaluated by a consultant psychiatrist to determine whether he should be moved to a mental health facility shortly before his transfer to Forest Bank. However, it was considered in his best interests to re-evaluate and observe his behaviour over the subsequent weeks.
It was also highlighted that Jake’s psychotic symptoms appeared to be getting better at the time of his evaluation and that he seemed to thrive in the structured setting he experienced at HMP Liverpool.
The inquest into Jake’s death, which commenced on Monday at Bolton Coroners Court, is scheduled to last 14 working days.
The jury were told that they will hear evidence from 50 witnesses throughout the proceedings, with the coroner advising them they will need to assemble a “jigsaw puzzle” of evidence surrounding Jake’s death.
The inquest continues.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.