Prisoner's suicide linked to 'substantial impact' of terror order, inquest finds

A prisoner took his own life after strict terrorism control measures imposed by the government had a "substantial impact" on his mental state, an inquest jury has concluded.

Akhtar Uddin, 35, died in HMP Wandsworth on Christmas Day 2021, a year after being jailed for breaching Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIM). The jury at Inner West London Coroner's Court also found that the prison service failed to provide Uddin with the necessary support. Jurors concluded that Uddin died due to an action he took, but stated it was "not possible to determine whether he intended the outcome to be his death."

Prior to his imprisonment in February 2020 for breaching the TPIM order, Uddin had served a sentence for racially or religiously aggravated harassment. TPIMs allow authorities to impose controls on individuals believed to be involved in terrorism but not facing criminal charges, with decisions made by the home secretary based on MI5 advice.

These measures can include electronic tagging, curfews, forced relocation, internet restrictions, financial controls, and limitations on associations and movements. Breaching a TPIM can lead to a terrorism conviction and imprisonment. TPIMs can now last up to five years, an increase from the previous two-year maximum when Uddin was subject to one.

Uddin breached his TPIM 12 times by withdrawing more money than permitted, which the inquest heard was largely spent on drugs. He had over 20 prior criminal convictions, none for terrorism offenses. The inquest, the first to examine the impact of TPIMs, heard Uddin believed the order was imposed due to reckless statements made under the influence of drugs, and he maintained he was not a terrorist.

It was understood that he was alleged to have made verbal threats and associated with individuals regarded by MI5 as being involved in terrorist activity. Coroner Bernard Richmond KC described Uddin as "loved and loving" but acknowledged his struggles with drug use.

The coroner indicated he would issue a report to the government regarding a risk to other individuals under terrorism control measures. When the TPIM was first imposed in January 2020, Uddin was forcibly relocated to the West Midlands, being arrested at the prison gates in front of his sister.

The full reasons for TPIM imposition are typically kept secret, even from the subject, due to reliance on MI5 intelligence. The inquest heard Uddin feared the TPIM would be reimposed upon his early release in 2022, potentially leading to further breaches due to his drug use.

The jury concluded they were satisfied that the original TPIM and its restrictive nature had a substantial impact on Uddin's mental state. They were also satisfied that the fear of a likely reimposition of such a restrictive and possibly unending TPIM significantly impacted his mental state in prison. Furthermore, the jury found that due to the prison service's unawareness of the TPIM restrictions and their likely impact on Uddin, there was a failure to provide support tailored to his specific needs.

A governor at HMP Wandsworth acknowledged that staff's lack of knowledge regarding TPIMs had resulted in "unintentionally cruel" treatment of Uddin. Uddin's sister testified that in the weeks before his death, he reported being questioned by "counter terrorism officers" who told him he would never be released from the TPIM.

Uddin's family issued a statement through their solicitors, welcoming the inquest's findings and expressing hope that the case would lead to changes for individuals subjected to the "inhumane regime."

An expert witness, Dr. Richard Latham, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, concluded that Uddin had an undiagnosed "personality disorder" and associated psychological problems, leading to impulsiveness, grievance, and paranoia. Dr. Latham suggested that Uddin likely anticipated the worst regarding the TPIM's future, creating "distress and a sense of hopelessness."

TPIMs are designed to create isolation, which can exacerbate psychological vulnerability and lead to emotional isolation, according to Dr. Latham. Uddin also reportedly felt a "sense of injustice" about being labeled a terrorist.

The inquest revealed minimal awareness among HMP Wandsworth staff regarding TPIMs, with very few individuals reportedly aware of Uddin's specific situation. The coroner noted a significant focus on assessing Uddin's potential risk to others, but a lack of assessment regarding risks to him. He highlighted a "paucity of support for people subject to TPIMs" and a potential risk to others subjected to these measures, prompting his decision to issue a preventing future deaths report.

There has been an observed trend of TPIM subjects experiencing mental health issues. The independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, has previously noted the Home Office's recognition of poor mental health as a prominent feature among recent TPIM subjects, alongside neurodivergence such as autism.