Prisoner was suffering from 'severe' mental health condition but was 'hopeful' for future

Psychiatrist tells inquest she was 'shocked' to learn of 46-year-old's death

A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find distressing.

A prisoner who took his own life at the Isle of Man Prison was suffering from ‘severe’ mental health problems but was ‘hopeful for the future’ around the time of his death.

That’s what the jury at the inquest into the death of Christopher Peter Corkill has been told.

The 46-year-old was found dead in his cell on the morning of 24 February 2023.

At Douglas Courthouse today (17 July) Doctor Kirsten Wafer, the retired consultant psychiatrist for the Drug and Alcohol Team, said she'd been ‘shocked’ to learn of his death.

Drug and Alcohol Team

The jury was told the former Ballasalla resident had been working with the service for more than 20 years, both inside and outside of prison, due to his drug addiction.

Dr Wafer explained that there’d been an escalation in his mental health issues which included a diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoia and hallucinations.

This was particularly evident, she said, after he’d taken Class A drugs adding: “There was a correlation.

“When he stopped taking cocaine, and restarted taking his (prescribed) medication, things settled back down very quickly,” she told the court.  

Describing him as a ‘lovely lad’ but ‘stubborn’ she said Mr Corkill had ‘enjoyed taking drugs’ and wouldn’t always do what she would have liked adding: “It was really difficult sometimes to manage him.”

Custody

In June 2022, the month before Mr Corkill was sent to custody for the final time, he’d reported hearing voices in his head and self-harming.

“He was very psychotic before he went to prison,” Dr Wafer told the court adding that once inside his symptoms did ‘settle down’.

Dr Wafer last saw Mr Corkill in December 2022 and described him as being well, physically and mentally, at that time.

“He didn’t want to see me because he was saying ‘I’m fine’,” she added.

She told the court they’d discussed referring Mr Corkill to the mental health service but explained: “He didn’t seem keen. I was hoping to be able to persuade him.

“He never lost his capacity. It was entirely up to him to make decisions about his treatment.”

She told the court it was clear that Mr Corkill had experienced ‘many difficulties in his short life’ but he’d refused any additional help which was offered to him, including CBT therapy.

When asked if Mr Corkill had suffered from a ‘severe’ mental health problem Dr Wafer replied: “Yes, absolutely.”

The jury also heard that he saw a key worker, from the Drug and Alcohol Team, in February 2023 and had been optimistic.

“He was actually reflecting on the mess his life had been. He was hopeful for the future,” Dr Wafer added.

“When I heard he’d died I thought it was due to his physical health. I was really shocked that he’d taken his own life.”

The inquest continues.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this story there are details of local organisations that provide advice and support HERE.