The mother of a 22-year-old man who passed away in prison expressed her deep sorrow, stating that she had a foreboding sense of his demise upon his transfer. Jake Anthony O’Brien died at Salford Royal Hospital on November 12, 2024, after being discovered hanging in his cell at HMP Forest Bank, as revealed during an inquest. Testifying at the inquest, Sarah O’Brien lamented that her son had been let down by the various authorities responsible for his well-being.

Jake, a resident of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, was remanded to Forest Bank, a Category B men’s private prison in Pendlebury, Salford, following charges related to car offenses. He was admitted to Salford Royal Hospital on November 9 and tragically passed away three days later, according to reports from the Manchester Evening News. The inquest disclosed that Jake had been transferred from HMP Liverpool to Forest Bank three weeks prior to his death. His injuries were deemed consistent with hanging, with no suspicious circumstances identified.

During her testimony, Ms. O’Brien described her son as “extremely precious” and dearly loved, expressing escalating concerns about Jake’s mental health while he was at HMP Liverpool. Jake, who suffered from psychosis and a history of self-harm, displayed behavior below his age level and cognitive delays. Additionally, there was a familial background of schizophrenia, and Jake had engaged in ketamine use around the onset of his psychosis.

Ms. O’Brien recounted that Jake had survived encephalitis as an infant, with doctors warning of severe potential brain damage if he lived. Furthermore, he was involved in a serious car accident in 2020, which could have led to brain injuries. Upon learning of Jake’s transfer to Forest Bank, Ms. O’Brien harbored a sense of impending tragedy, feeling that it marked the beginning of his end. Despite her efforts to seek help by contacting authorities and professionals, she felt unheard, leading to the devastating outcome.

While incarcerated, Jake, diagnosed with ADHD and a high likelihood of autism, experienced psychosis and delusions. Ms. O’Brien mentioned attempts to reassure him through phone calls and emails to secure assistance from various entities. She had hoped for Jake to be moved to the Edenfield Centre, a secure mental health unit, but the inquest revealed that a psychiatrist’s assessment prior to his transfer deemed monitoring his behavior and reassessment as the preferred course of action.

The inquest, commencing at Bolton Coroners Court, is anticipated to span 14 working days, with 50 witnesses scheduled to provide insights into the circumstances surrounding Jake’s passing. The coroner likened the process to assembling a complex puzzle of evidence surrounding the tragedy. Additionally, support resources for individuals experiencing distress were provided for those in need.