Lewis Petryszyn

I am Patricia Morgan Area Coroner, for the coroner area of South Wales Central.

On 25 April 2022 1 commenced an investigation into the death of Lewis Rhys Thomas PETRYSZYN . The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 09/04/2025. The jury conclusion of the inquest was that Lewis Petryszyn’s death occurred as a consequence of inhalation of drugs. He inhaled them without intending to end his life. 1a Unexpected death from inhalation of synthetic cannabinoids 1b 1c

These are recorded as:- On Friday 15th April 2022 between 13:45pm and 14:27pm, Mr Petryszyn died in his shared cell on Alpha 4 Block, HMP Parc, 1 Heol Hopcyn John, Coity, Bridgend, by inhalation of synthetic cannabinoids. The Inquest focused upon:- i, Mr Petryszyn’s use of Psychoactive Substances at HMP Parc since 6 May 2021 ii. The steps taken by HMP Parc to safeguard Mr Petryszyn from drug use while in custody until his death on 15 April 2022 iii. The circumstances in which Mr Petryszyn came to ingest psychoactive substances on 15 April 2022 iv. The emergency response to Mr Petryszyn being found unresponsive in his cell on 15 April 2022, and whether there were any missed opportunities to render care.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MAITERS OF CONCERN are as follows. There was, and remains, an absence of specified prescribed timeframes in policies and procedures within which intervention, ongoing support, and/or case load allocation to/from Dyfodol must occur for prisoners likely to be at risk of substance misuse. The absence of prescribed timeframes poses the real risk of delayed support and intervention to drug users

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action,