A prison officer who laughed outside an inmate's cell shortly before his death has called it a "trauma response" after a prolonged restraint, an inquest heard. Josh Tarrant, 34, arrived at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey on October 31 2023, before dying in the early hours of November 1.

After his arrival, Mr Tarrant reportedly suffered a psychotic episode related to cocaine intoxication which saw him being restrained by prison officers. On Wednesday (November 26), at Kent and Medway Coroners Court, Maidstone , jurors heard that Mr Tarrant had an "unreal" tolerance for pain during the incident and was calling for his mum.

Earlier in the inquest, a pathologist confirmed that "exertion" during the prolonged restraint by several officers made Mr Tarrant "more vulnerable" to death fro

See Full Page