They could have stopped her

I am extremely worried about some of the stuff that is happening in this prison. One of the girls has been asking staff and the mental health team for help because she feels so low.

We all got let out on exercise today but, for some reason, they did not let her out of her cell. So she was shouting from her window for someone to let her out for fresh air.  The member of staff just stood there and ignored her. I asked them to let her out and they said, “She is not coming out.”

The girl then climbed out of the window of the top-floor rooms and said, “If you don’t let me out, I will jump.” The member of staff took no notice. So the girl jumped. She landed on her leg and there was a loud crack. The staff ran straight to her. She was screaming in pain and the staff ordered us all inside, even though we were so worried for her. It took an ambulance 45 minutes to arrive, and they kept her outside the whole time.

How can staff say they care and have our best interests at heart, when the member of staff on duty just stood there as she threatened to jump and did not call other staff for help before she jumped?  The individual could easily have prevented it from happening, but didn’t.

We need the world to know what is going on in prison. This girl could have broken her back or died.  This is not acceptable. We need help.

Editorial note – We asked the Prison Service whether any member of staff had been disciplined for the way in which this incident was handled. A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We do not recognise this version of events. Staff took all necessary action to assist the prisoner in question.”