Drug prisoner died on release day

A family is calling for more support for recently-released offenders with drug problems after their son died the day he was released from jail.

Christian Frowd, from Newport, who had served nine months for theft, took drugs the evening he was freed.

His parents Lynette and Keith Frowd say he had tried to see a probation officer but was told to return another day.

Gwent Probation said there was no record of Mr Frowd attending an interview on the day he died.

Mrs Frowd said she met her son on the day he was released in July 2006, before he went off to see a probation officer. She said he was told to "come back Friday".

She said: "I said that's terrible, I said haven't you got to talk with anyone? Christian said no - 'I've just got to come back Friday'".

The Frowds told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme they believe more advice was needed to help addicts.

Mr Frowd said: "I don't think that "come back on Friday because we don't have time for you today" is the right advice for somebody who is a drug addict, for somebody who is at danger of re-offending.

"Does the probation service have a duty of care to society that people that are under their supervision on release from prison are getting the right advice?

He added: "It hurts - and it will continue to hurt - and every time you read in their paper about somebody being at risk - about somebody dying - it hurts even more."

Jane Coates, chief officer for Gwent Probation, said Mr Frowd had been visited in prison the week before his release to talk about his post-release plans and "in particular to engage with him about his substance misuse".

She said: "Christian contributed to the discussion and indicated he would engage positively.

Dogs

"He apparently overdosed on drugs within hours of his release without following up on the agreement. He didn't give us a chance."

According to the UK Drug Policy Commission, Britain has the highest level of dependent drug use in Europe and the second highest rate of drug-related deaths.

And the treatment for drug users in prison, the commission says, falls short of minimum standards.

David Blakey, a former member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, is carrying out the review which will include the use of drug-detection dogs.

His review is expected to be published later this month.

Justice Minister David Hanson told Dragon's Eye: "We need to improve how we reintegrate people back into society, and the links that we make between the health service, accommodation, and issues in the community with prisoners who are leaving.

"We need to manage those links in a much more effective way than we've been doing to date."