Ford, Stuart Cecil

56y · Male·Asphyxia

Stuart Cecil Ford, a 56-year-old prisoner at Wolston Correctional Centre, died by asphyxiation when he intentionally placed a plastic bag over his head on 16 January 2010. He had a history of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was under psychiatric care, and had previously attempted suicide. The death occurred following suspension from his laundry job and breach proceedings on 15 January 2010—events he described in his diary as the "FINAL TRIGGER." The coroner found that risk assessment and management were appropriate, with Mr Ford receiving regular access to counselling and psychiatric care. Staff were trained in suicide risk recognition. The coroner concluded the extreme reaction could not have been foreseen, though noted the importance of restricting access to means of self-harm as an additional safeguard in custodial settings.