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Thursday, April 07, 2011

Shepton Mallet prisoner found dead in cell

Shepton Mallet prisoner found dead in cell

A 40-year-old man who was serving a life sentence for attempted murder was found dead in his cell at Shepton Mallet Prison, it has emerged.

Prison officers found Michael Ransdell hanged in his cell, early on Sunday morning.

It is understood he was not on suicide watch.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

2 comments:

mstexs said...

This was my son, Michael David Ransdell, Sr. whom the article was about. What seemed to be not noted was, he hung himself with a rope. With a ROPE. He suffered from Schizophrenia and paranoia and was on an injectable drugs. These drugs are used for more severe cases. Most of these drugs that are used have a warning of suicidal tendencies. They knew he was having mental problems and was sending him back to Norvic Clinic. They waited too long, for the care that he needed. Their negligence cost my son his life. It was noted in his memoriam that was held at Shepton Mallet Prison on April 15th by the Rev. Peter Browne, that Michael had difficulty and was struggling to the point that he would tell people. I truly believe that this is a case of wrongful death, and that my sons passing could have been avoided if someone at Shepton Prison would have doing their job, whether it be the medical staff or whoever, their job was to protect the vulnerable. Michael cried for help, and help never came. I have his memoriam that was read at Shepton Mallet Prison, if you would like to read it.
I hope you will open everyone's eyes to the care of the mentally challenged that are incarcerated, and are not being properly cared for. I wrote down from my heart this, "Would have you loved me more, if I would have had cancer instead of Schizophrenia and paranoia? What people seem to forget is that under all of this, there is a person hurting. My son was hurting, and the help he needed never came. Does it take another death to open up the eyes of the system there to make sure that this does not happen to someone else's loved one?
My heart breaks for my child. You see no matter what age your son is, he is still your child.
In God's Grace and Mercy Let this be heard.
Sincerely yours,
Maddy Ransdell

feastvfw said...

I was once a friend of Mike's.It was Years ago when he lived on i believe Myron street in Indianapolis.We had mutual friends and i played in a band that Mike was into.My memory of him is pleasant.I think that his parents were Christians as i am and they were good people.I would hang out at times at his home and i was very fond of his sister.One of our mutual friends brought this sad information to me recently.I pray for Mike and his family.David