A grieving mum hopes changes can be made after her son was found dead in his prison cell.
Samuel Hayden, of Chestnut Avenue in Cheadle, was 28 when he was found in his cell at HMP Liverpool. HMP Liverpool is a Category B prison that often holds people on remand, awaiting sentencing, as well as prisoners who have already been sentenced.
An inquest held into his death today at the Gerard Majella Courthouse heard that Mr Hayden was found in his cell at 7.40am on March 12, 2021 during a welfare check. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at 7.57am as paramedics were called.
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The inquest heard that Mr Hayden had been sentenced for criminal offences in 2017 for four and a half years but was released on licence in 2018. However, he was recalled in July 2020 which was "unexpected".
In a statement read out to the hearing, mum Sarah Hayden paid tribute to her "extremely funny and beautiful boy". She said her son, who was diagnosed with ADHD from a young age, was a "lovable rogue". She added: "Above all else, however, he was kind and always offering help to others."
Despite being in prison before, Ms Hayden said this had not phased him, but this time there was a "notable change" in his behaviour as he stopped writing letters. She added HMP Liverpool had changed her son and his phone calls would be "hysterical".
The hearing heard that Mr Hayden was sentenced for a further year in September 2020 but was "reported to be settling in, having found his feet". The inquest heard there were no further concerns for his mental health and in January 2021, he was granted enhanced prisoner status and was working as a wing cleaner.
Area coroner Anita Bhardwaj said in February 2021 his medication had stopped and in March 2021, the positive reports continued, however, on March 11, Mr Hayden made over 100 phone calls to his family.
In a last call to his grandmother, the hearing heard he told her he had "had enough" and "had no hope". In her statement, Ms Hayden raised concerns about her son being sent to HMP Liverpool rather than a local prison.
She said some of the issues in prison "could've been avoided had he been in the Greater Manchester area." Ms Hayden added that "the volume of calls from prison were horrendous" and Mr Hayden would often be "hysterical" and make references to self harm, but Ms Hayden added: "I never had a genuine concern he would kill himself, he was always full of life."
She said: "I can't say if it was an intentional act or if he hoped he would be discovered."
Ms Hayden told the hearing her son's death came as an "utter shock", but looking back, "the signs were there" as she said: "I think he was in some sort of meltdown. We will always miss the lovable Sam who brought so much fun."
The hearing heard how being brought back to prison had "broken his spirit" and circumstances in his outside life and "malicious allegations" were having an impact on him. Ms Hayden added she believed her son had "no intention of harming himself" as she said: "I want to find out what happened to Sam."
She added: "I hope changes can be made. He was a 28-year-old man, he shouldn't have passed away so young."
Forensic pathologist Dr Jonathan Metcalfe told the hearing that "death occurred relatively rapidly". He added that there was "no evidence of any natural disease" or unexplained alcohol or drug substances.
Mr Metcalfe gave a cause of death as compression of the neck due to hanging. When asked by coroner Anita Bhardwaj how long it takes for unconsciousness to kick him, Mr Metcalfe replied it can occur in less than a minute and brain damage can occur "within minutes".
Mr Metcalfe said "on the balance of probabilities" it was likely Mr Hayden had been dead for "at least an hour" before he was checked at around 7.40am. The prison officer's welfare check before that was around 4.56am, three hours prior.
Welfare checks were carried out as a result of the pandemic to visually check prisoners were "alive and well". These are not carried out during the night.
The inquest, held on Monday, heard that during his time at HMP Liverpool before his sentencing, an ACCT (Assessment in Care and Custody Teamwork) was opened for Mr Hayden, meaning additional, multidisciplinary checks were carried out. Within an hour of an ACCT opening, an immediate action plan has to be put in place.
Regular reviews were carried out, increasing to hourly towards the end of August 2020. The hearing heard how he had "fleeting thoughts of self-harm", and reviews were regularly carried out until the ACCT was closed on September 18, 2020.
The coroner added that the 28-year-old had a history of self-harm and had expressed low feelings and upset while at HMP Liverpool.
The inquest is set to continue for the next five days.
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