Man Dies on First Night at HMP Elmley After Prolonged Restraint
A 34-year-old man died during his very first night at a Kent prison after officers restrained him for hours, an inquest revealed. Josh Tarrant arrived at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey on October 31, 2023. Just hours later, he suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead in the early hours of November 1.
Cocaine-Fuelled Psychotic Episode Sparks Restraint
Police said Mr Tarrant suffered a psychotic episode triggered by cocaine intoxication shortly after arriving at the prison. Officers restrained him multiple times as they moved him from a standard cell to a ‘safe cell’ and then to another adjacent cell over a gruelling two-hour period.
Forensic pathologist Dr Ginni Fitzpatrick-Swallow told the inquest the “exertion during restraint” made Mr Tarrant “more vulnerable” to death caused by cocaine. She said the prolonged restraint played “more than a minimal” role in his death, though it remains unclear if cocaine alone would have been fatal.
Shocking CCTV Shows Struggle and Restraint
The inquest heard harrowing details from CCTV footage. Six officers initially restrained Mr Tarrant as he was lifted from his cell. He fell, fought back, and was carried to a ‘safe cell’ with arm restraints. Video showed him breathing heavily and banging his head on the cell wall during the ordeal.
Later, Mr Tarrant tried to ligature himself before being restrained again and moved to a neighbouring cell. Alarmingly, one officer briefly lay across his chest during the struggle. Shortly after being left alone at around 2am, Mr Tarrant became unresponsive and went into cardiac arrest.
Death Linked to Cocaine, Restraint, and Enlarged Heart
- Mr Tarrant faced charges including criminal damage and assault after a car crash in Sittingbourne days before his detention.
- Dr Fitzpatrick-Swallow confirmed death was caused by cocaine intoxication, with restraint exertion and an enlarged heart as key contributing factors.
- Cocaine often causes agitation, panic, and confusion, intensifying distress during restraint, she said.
- Officers involved were reportedly exhausted, highlighting the severity of the confrontation.
The inquest into Josh Tarrant’s tragic death continues.
