Prison documents altered over Crohn's inmate death

A coroner has raised concerns about prison documents being altered over an inmate with Crohn's disease who suffered malnutrition.

Mohammed Azizi, 32, who died at HMP Norwich in May, had refused food saying it made him unwell.

Coroner Samantha Goward said she was concerned after two prison officers claimed under oath that signatures on documents were not theirs.

The Ministry of Justice said it would consider the coroner's findings "carefully".

Mr Azizi's family said they were "shocked" to hear about a "recreated prison document".

Ms Goward said she had requested evidence from HM Prison Service, but that it had not been submitted to the court in time to be admitted.

She said: "There is a risk a full picture is not being received and could lead to the same thing happening."

Mr Azizi, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, was sentenced to more than five years in prison for arson in 2021.

At his trial, Chelmsford Crown Court heard he had started several fires, destroying two garages and nine vehicles.

He complained food in prison made him unwell owing to his Crohn's diagnosis and that he had not been given the food he had requested.

Mr Azizi's family first spoke to HMP Norwich's head of suicide and self harm about an early release on "compassionate grounds" in October 2022 - their lawyer said - but the "criteria was not met".

The application was eventually put through three days before his death, they added.

The lawyer said Mr Azizi lost half his body weight as his health deteriorated.

He died on 15 May at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The jury returned a narrative conclusion. He died from cardiac atrophy, malnutrition and a pulmonary embolism.

In a statement, the family said: “Mohammed was a much-loved member of our family, he was kind and generous to all his friends and family.

"He always tried to bring fun and joy to our lives."

It continued: "We were shocked to hear about the use of a recreated prison document that related to Mo, and how this was handled by the prison and not disclosed to the court or to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."

Lawyer Shrdha Kapoor also said the inquest highlighted "real concerns about record keeping at HMP Norwich".

Ms Goward said she would submit her Prevention of Future Deaths report to the governor of HMP Norwich, HM Inspectorate of Prisons and HM Inspectorate of Probation.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: "We will consider the coroner's findings carefully and respond to the Prevention of Future Deaths report in due course."

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