Prisoner With No Terror Convictions Died After 'Unintentionally Cruel' TPIM Treatment

Akhtar Uddin had more than 20 previous criminal convictions but none for terrorism offences when he became subject to restrictive UK terrorism controls that an inquest has now found had a 'substantial impact' on his mental state before his death in prison.

The 35-year-old East London builder died at HMP Wandsworth on Christmas Day 2021 after being jailed in February 2020 for breaching Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures, known as TPIMs. A jury at Inner West London Coroner's Court found that the prison service failed to provide support properly tailored to his circumstances.

Jurors concluded Uddin died as a result of an action he took but said it was 'not possible to determine whether he intended the outcome to be his death.'

HMP Wandsworth Treatment Was 'Unintentionally Cruel'

A governor at HMP Wandsworth accepted during the inquest that staff's lack of knowledge about TPIMs had resulted in 'unintentionally cruel' treatment of Uddin.

The jury found prison staff were unaware of the restrictions and their likely impact on him, leading to a failure to provide support suited to his specific needs.

Coroner Bernard Richmond KC said 'very few people, if any' at the prison knew about Uddin's TPIM, its revocation or the possibility that it could be imposed again.

The jury found the original TPIM and its 'unusually restrictive nature' had a 'substantial impact' on Uddin's mental state.

Why Was Akhtar Uddin Subject to a TPIM?

TPIMs allow the government to impose restrictions on people it reasonably believes are or have been involved in terrorism-related activity. The Home Secretary acts on security assessments, including advice from MI5.

The underlying intelligence can remain secret from the person subject to the measures for national security reasons.

Uddin, who had previously served a sentence for racially or religiously aggravated harassment, was alleged to have made verbal threats and associated with people regarded by MI5 as being involved in terrorist activity.

The inquest heard Uddin believed the TPIM was imposed because of reckless statements he made while under the influence of drugs. He insisted he was not a terrorist.

Prisoner Feared 'Never-Ending' Terror Restrictions

When the TPIM was imposed in January 2020, Uddin was forcibly relocated to the West Midlands after being arrested at prison gates as his sister waited to meet him following his release.

TPIM conditions can include electronic tagging, curfews, relocation, internet restrictions, financial controls and limits on who subjects can meet and where they can go.

Uddin breached his measures 12 times by withdrawing more money than permitted, which the inquest heard he largely spent on drugs.

The jury found his fear that a restrictive TPIM would be reimposed, and its 'possibly never-ending nature,' had a significant impact on his mental state while imprisoned.

'Distress and a Sense of Hopelessness'

NHS consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Richard Latham concluded Uddin had an undiagnosed personality disorder alongside psychological problems and vulnerabilities associated with impulsiveness, grievance and paranoia.

Dr Latham said Uddin probably assumed the worst about his future under the terrorism restrictions, creating 'distress and a sense of hopelessness.'

He also said TPIMs deliberately create a 'degree of isolation,' which can interact with psychological vulnerabilities and produce 'emotional isolation.'

Coroner Warns of Risk To Other TPIM Subjects

Richmond said there had been considerable assessment of the potential risk Uddin posed to others, but he had seen 'nothing' showing an assessment of risks to Uddin himself.

The coroner said there was a 'paucity of support' for people under TPIMs and that he would issue a Preventing Future Deaths report over concerns that other subjects could be at risk.

A government spokesperson defended TPIMs as a 'last resort' for managing terrorism risks involving people who cannot be prosecuted or deported, saying the measures are 'carefully considered and strictly focused.'

The government also said it was improving prison staff training to help manage risks of self-harm and suicide.