Report of the Inquiry into the circumstances of the Death of Bernard ...

Evidence to the inquiry
SO Knight
11.35 SO Knight told the inquiry that he believed that Sonny’s core record which would
have contained the old F2052SH was not available in the segregation unit as it had been
sent to reception because of his impending release or change of status. He said that the
note of his evidence to the inquest was incorrect and it was two days after Sonny
Lodge’s death when he found out that he had formerly been on an F2052SH.
Governor McColm
11.36 Governor McColm told the inquiry that from his brief conversation with the Deputy
Governor he understood that Sonny was likely to be released on bail later that day. He
did not know any detail of the incident at Risley that was mentioned as the possible
cause of a grudge. He said he had considered whether he could investigate Sonny’s
counter-allegation properly. He wanted to understand the cell search and to check it was
legitimate. He had adjourned to obtain evidence from the senior officer who would have
had to authorise it. SO Nuttall had confirmed that the staff were detailed to search and
that he knew they were searching. It was correct for staff to search if they had concerns
about someone. He had not attached any significance to Officer Downs saying that there
were entries in Sonny Lodge’s record whilst Officer Bowcock said there was an entry in
the observation book. He took it there was an entry somewhere giving cause for
concern. He had not asked for use of force forms which at that time tended to be written
in formulaic terms and were unlikely to be helpful.
11.37 Governor McColm said he had been satisfied that the charge was proved. The
officers were clear and consistent in their evidence whereas Sonny Lodge was vague.
He had considered whether to adjourn for further investigation but having heard from the
three people in the cell at the time of the incident he did not think that there was likely to
be significant other evidence.
11.38 Governor McColm has commented that the notes on the F256 are not a verbatim
record. They do not capture everything that was said and are not required to do so. Nor
can they capture body language or emotions. Even so, the record ran to eight
continuation sheets. Governor McColm says that, at the time, it was usual for an
adjudication to be completed without continuation sheets and to be over in a matter of
minutes. In this case, the adjudication took some 20 or 25 minutes.
90