Convicted paedophile found unconscious in prison cell dies at age 32

Jared Perry, a convicted sex offender who had abused babies under six months old, died in prison shortly after being found unresponsive in his cell. He was serving a 17-year extended sentence for indecent assault and sexual assault on a child under 13. The inquest revealed that a failure of prison staff to observe Perry, a delay in his transfer to a secure mental health unit, and a failure to remove an item from his cell all contributed to his death. Perry had a history of mental health issues and had confessed his crimes to clear his conscience. He was described as an “extremely high risk” to children and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at a young age.

The inquest revealed that Perry’s mental health deteriorated while in prison, leading to increased observation and placement in a safer custody unit. He was set to be transferred to a secure mental health unit shortly before his death. A prison officer testified that he had not seen Perry on CCTV but had heard him shouting and kicking his door, leading him to believe that Perry was still alive. The medical cause of death was determined to be airway obstruction due to hanging, resulting in a hypoxic brain injury.

Perry’s mother, Tracey Perry, shared that the family had forgiven Jared and were prepared to support him upon his release from prison. However, Perry’s mental health issues persisted, and he struggled with taking medication. The jury found that the failure to undertake indicated observations, a delay in his transfer to a secure mental health unit, and failure to remove material from his cell all contributed to his death. Perry’s abuse of both male and female children, some as young as months old, had devastating consequences for his victims and his own life.

The inquest highlighted the challenges of managing individuals with complex mental health issues in a prison setting. Perry’s case underscores the need for better mental health support and rehabilitation programs for offenders with a history of abuse and mental health difficulties. The tragic outcome of Perry’s death raises questions about the effectiveness of the prison system in addressing the needs of vulnerable and high-risk individuals. The case also sheds light on the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and trauma on individuals, as well as the importance of early intervention and support for those at risk of offending.