Robert Frith, awaiting trial for child kidnap, died by suicide in prison. A report finds mistakes in his care.
Robert Frith was 65 years old. He died in his cell in November 2020 while awaiting trial for child kidnapping. Other people were also charged in the case. Some were found guilty; one was not. They believed the child was abused.
A jury said Frith died by suicide this month. He had never been in jail before. Staff noted no past suicide attempts either, and he said he did not feel suicidal. He did have a history of alcohol issues and got medicine for withdrawal. Staff checked on him often, the report stated.
Frith was anxious about being in prison. He could not reach his partner; she was also charged. He lacked his brother’s contact details because police had taken his phone when they arrested him. A guard found him dead in his cell; he had suffocated himself. Staff did not try to revive him, as he was clearly already dead.
The report pointed out problems in his care. Staff knew about media interest in his case but did not fully consider this upon his arrival. Suicide risk screening seemed inadequate, as prison officers used a simple “yes” or “no” form that lacked space for details about risks.
The report also mentioned phone call issues. He was not told about call restrictions, though the report claims this may not have caused his death. His cell’s poor condition was a concern as well.
The report advised the prison to change its intake process. It wants staff to look at all risk factors and to improve communication about phone rules. This is important for first-time inmates, according to the report.
The kidnapping involved gang leaders. They took a child from a foster carer, and the leaders and others received 63 years total in jail.