An urgent investigation has been launched after the death of a 22 year-old Forest Bank prison inmate.
Jake O'Brien's devastated family have paid tribute to him after his death on Tuesday (November 12). They said Jake, from Trafford, was on remand at Forest Bank, a Category B men's private prison in Pendlebury, Salford, after being charged with car crime offences.
He was taken to hospital from the prison on Saturday and passed away on Tuesday evening at Salford Royal Hospital. Jake's mum, Sarah O'Brien, 39, from Altrincham, Trafford, said he was moved to Forest Bank from HMP Liverpool three weeks ago. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
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The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which independently investigates deaths in custody, confirmed an investigation was now underway. An inquest is likely to be opened and adjourned, with the full report published once any inquest is concluded, said a spokesperson.
In a tribute to her son, Ms O'Brien told the Manchester Evening News: "I am deeply saddened to lose my first-born, precious baby boy. Your life had only just begun and it has been taken away from you. You truly did deserve more than this.
"Jake is a precious son and big brother and he will be sadly missed. As a family we ask for privacy to allow us to grieve and to come to terms with what has happened."
She also issued family-album photographs of Jake aged between 16 and 18.
An HMP Forest Bank spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a prisoner died on Tuesday 12 November. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family at this time.
"As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and therefore we are unable to comment further at this stage."
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigates deaths in custody, and complaints from people who are in custody or under community supervision.
PPO Ombudsman Adrian Usher said: "The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman are conducting an independent investigation into the death of Jake O'Brien at HMP Forest Bank on 12 November 2024.
"We will investigate the events that occurred during the lead up to his death, and our final investigation report will be published once the inquest concludes. I offer my condolences to Mr O'Brien’s family and friends."
There have been a number of fatalities at the prison, run privately by Sodexo, over recent years.
Sodexo's contract to run the prison ends on January 19, 2025. Back in 1998, it was awarded a deal worth £1,006,771,964 to design, build and run the prison, built on the site of the former Agecroft power station under a private finance initiative, to house a maximum 1,064 inmates.
A decision on Sodexo's contract to run the prison and future arrangements for the prison are expected to be released soon.
