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 after being jailed in 2020 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 support he needed. 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."
The inquest heard that Uddin believed the TPIM order was imposed because he made reckless statements under the influence of drugs, and he insisted he was not a terrorist. His former solicitor, Amer Ahmad, informed Uddin in autumn 2021 that there were "highly limited prospects" of legally overturning the TPIM.
Coroner Bernard Richmond KC will issue a report to the government due to concerns about a risk to other people under terrorism control measures. A governor at HMP Wandsworth accepted that a lack of knowledge of TPIMs by prison staff led to "unintentionally cruel" treatment of Uddin.