Haydar Jefferies, a publican, tragically took his life after being recalled to prison due to a false allegation, leaving his family devastated.
Oxfordshire: It’s a heartbreaking story. Haydar Jefferies lived in fear for nearly a decade under an indefinite jail term. He was always worried about being sent back to prison for the smallest mistake.
After serving six years for an assault, he tried to rebuild his life. He turned his pub and B&B into a community favorite. His brother remembers him as a loving guy who always had a smile.
But everything changed when he lost his husband, Andrew, to a heart attack. Just when he was trying to cope, a false allegation was made against him. In January 2022, he was arrested in the middle of the night.
Even though the police dropped the investigation soon after, Haydar was stuck in prison again. The rules of his IPP sentence meant he could be held indefinitely, which felt like a nightmare.
His mental health took a nosedive. By February, he was in such a bad state that he was found acting strangely in his cell. Sadly, he tried to take his own life and passed away in the hospital days later.
An inquest revealed that neglect and delays in his care contributed to his tragic death. His family is now calling for changes to the system, saying that IPP prisoners are treated like cattle.
His brother shared how scared Haydar was after being released. He felt like he was always on edge, fearing that one small mistake could send him back to prison.
His mother expressed her heartbreak, saying that those under IPP sentences often feel hopeless and unable to defend themselves. The system has failed them, and it’s devastating to think about what Haydar went through.
The inquest found that prison staff failed to provide the necessary medical care, even when Haydar showed clear signs of distress. His family made numerous calls for help, but nothing was done.
It’s a scary thought for anyone in prison right now. The system seems broken, and it’s hard to believe that people are treated like numbers without proper care.
His mother is haunted by the memories of Haydar and what he endured. She feels for all the families dealing with similar situations, knowing how damaging it can be.
The inquest concluded that Haydar should have received constant supervision and care. The jury found serious failures in how he was treated while in custody.
A solicitor representing the family pointed out that it’s rare for a jury to find neglect in these cases, highlighting just how badly Haydar was failed by the system.
In response, the prison service expressed their condolences and mentioned that an investigation is underway. They promised to address the findings once the report is complete.
