Inmate 'wanted' by gangs after making '£250K a month' in prison found dead in cell

A dealer who was said to have made £500,000 every couple of months from supplying drugs inside prison was found dead in his cell.

Johnpaul Digweed, 36, was serving a 25-year prison sentence for supplying vast amounts of cocaine and heroin when he was found hanged in his cell at HMP Garth, in Lancashire, in April 2024.

A public report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), which investigates all deaths in custody, found there was no evidence the dad had been at a heightened or imminent risk of suicide when he died.

But ombudsman Adrian Usher identified concerns about staff not following guidance when carrying out welfare checks, although he said he could not be sure this would have changed the outcome in Digweed's case, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Mr Usher said there was information that Digweed might have been worried about money at the time of his death. He said there was "significant evidence that [Digweed] was involved in prison drug culture" and that "he was found in possession of a mobile phone numerous times".

The ombudsman said: "Throughout his time in Garth, the prison received significant intelligence that he was involved in organising drone deliveries of drugs and other illicit items, and on six occasions, he was found with a mobile phone in his possession."

Intelligence from the prison's security team indicated Digweed, who used the EncroChat handle "Diorpaw", was "involved in organising drone deliveries to the prison of contraband including mobile phones".

Mr Usher said that in February 2024, "an intelligence report showed that certain prisoners on C Wing, including Mr Digweed, were making about £400,000 to £500,000 every couple of months from the proceeds of contraband sent into the prison by drone".

However, the intelligence also showed Digweed was under pressure from other people inside the prison. In November 2023, CCTV showed four prisoners entering his cell, after which he was found with slash injuries.

He claimed he had fallen over, but his security file suggested the incident was related to a drug debt and gang activity.

Investigators found Digweed's only prison record reference to suicidal thoughts was when he was on remand. However, while using cocaine in September 2023, he harmed himself by making superficial cuts to his chest. The ombudsman found there was no evidence the prison had started suicide and self-harm support procedures, known as ACCT.

Recordings of Digweed's prison calls in the days before his death appeared to show his relationship with his partner was under strain. However, in calls to a female relative, he sounded "in a good mood" and joked he had "a few years left in me".

The ombudsman's report said the last time he spoke to his partner was on April 12, when he called her drunk and she asked him to call back when he had sobered up. She said he had not given any indication that he was feeling low or suicidal.

Digweed was last seen alive during a routine prisoner count at 7.39pm on April 12. At 5.17am the following day, his observation panel was covered, and it was covered again during a welfare check at 9.07am. The staff responsible took no action.