All credits: Epilepsy Action
published: 5 October 2023
A coroner has ruled that “insufficient and unacceptable management” of care contributed to the death of Trevor Monerville, who died in prison from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
Assistant coroner Rachel Redman said: “the lack of systemic observations… alongside no care plan and no seizure diary, contributed to the insufficient and unacceptable management of Trevor Monerville’s care”.
Trevor had seizures caused by epilepsy and non-epileptic attack disorder for a number of years. He was detained at HMP Lewes from 30 November 2020 until his death on 18 April 2021, aged 33.
Trevor had been prescribed and administered medication, but 40 days’ worth, unused, was found in his cell after his death.
Epilepsy Action’s senior policy and campaigns manager Daniel Jennings said: “Prison staff ignored Trevor Monerville’s family’s concerns around his seizures, especially his nocturnal ones, and failed to monitor them. They also failed to put measures in place to keep him safer, like moving him to a shared cell where he wouldn’t be alone in the night should he have a seizure.
“Not only this, but the inquest into his death found prison staff didn’t carry out a morning check as they were meant to, on the day Mr Monerville passed away. Prior to this, officers hadn’t been fully briefed about his condition, and practically didn’t know what to do.”
