Suffocated prisoner dies in hospital

A prisoner died in hospital two days after being found suffocated, the Prison Service said today.

James Duggan, who was jailed in August last year for wounding with intent, was found asphyxiated at Pentonville prison in north London at 9.30am on Wednesday last week.

Staff and paramedics tried to resuscitate the 27-year-old inmate, who was taken to Whittington Hospital in north London where he was pronounced dead at 7.25pm on Friday, a Prison Service spokeswoman said.

"HMP Pentonville prisoner James Duggan was found asphyxiated at 09.30am on Wednesday August 4," she said.

"Staff and paramedics commenced CPR and Mr Duggan was taken to Whittington Hospital. Death was pronounced at 19.25pm on Friday 6 August.

"As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."