Patryk Jalocha, a 24-year-old Polish national previously held at HMP Birmingham on remand for attempted murder, was found dead in his cell at HMP Manchester on November 5, 2024. His death follows a disturbing incident where a prison officer was dismissed for falsifying suicide and self-harm monitoring records, raising serious concerns over prison care and oversight.
Jalocha was charged after a stabbing incident involving a woman in Walsall and also faced charges of aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm. After initial custody at HMP Birmingham, he was transferred to HMP Manchester, a high-security facility, where he awaited trial. A possible deportation hung over him if convicted.
The Prison and Probation Ombudsman’s report, published in June 2026, revealed crucial failures in monitoring his wellbeing. An officer falsified the required ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) checks—standard procedures intended to prevent suicides and self-harm—by falsely recording they had seen Jalocha hours before his death. This gross misconduct led to the officer’s sacking.
READ MORE: Andy Burnham Urged to Introduce Online Sales Tax to Support High Streets
READ MORE: First Images Released of Birmingham Men Sentenced Over Weston-Super-Mare Drug Line
Additionally, graffiti discovered in Jalocha’s cell—depicting a man hanging—was not properly addressed by staff despite being spotted on two separate occasions shortly before his death. The report criticized these lapses and outlined deficiencies in the prison’s suicide prevention measures.
Jalocha arrived in the UK at age 15 and had a recent conviction for affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of cocaine. Despite no disclosed history of mental illness or substance misuse on initial health assessments, he exhibited withdrawal and signs of low mood while incarcerated. ACCT monitoring was initiated twice due to concerns over his mental state.
The report emphasizes Jalocha’s complex status as a foreign national facing potential deportation, which may have contributed to his distress. It also calls for urgent improvements in how prison staff respond to warning signs such as graffiti and self-harm indicators and stresses the importance of rigorous adherence to emergency protocols.
The ombudsman’s findings highlight systemic issues in prevention and care for vulnerable prisoners, underscoring the need for robust staff training and oversight to avoid similar tragedies.