Prison’s ‘appalling’ lack of resources

Tuesday 18th September 2007, 12:00AM BST.

THE suicide of a 29-year-old inmate at La Moye prison might have been prevented if it were not for a serious lack of States money and resources, an inquest has heard.

Prison Governor Steve Guy-Gibbens admitted that unacceptable prison conditions could have led to the death of Neil Davey last year. The family of Mr Davey have now called for confiscated drugs money to be used to fund vital improvements at the prison. Mr Davey – a repeat offender on remand for theft allegations – was found hanging in his cell on 2 September 2006, 24 hours after he had been readmitted into custody. Mr Guy-Gibbens said yesterday: ‘I’m frustrated with the situation. I believe that Jersey deserves better and that Neil Davey deserved better. We did the best we could, but it wasn’t good enough. Perhaps if we had had the resources we would not all be sat here today.’

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