Hallam Elgood was discovered unresponsive in his cell at Norwich Prison on December 30, 2024.

Officers began CPR before paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. A post-mortem confirmed he had died by ligature.

An inquest at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, heard by Yvonne Blake, was told the 38-year-old, a prolific shoplifter, had shown signs of deteriorating mental health in the days leading up to his death, repeatedly expressing fears that other inmates were trying to harm him.

Hallum Elgood (Image: Norfolk Police)

Evidence revealed Elgood had told prison staff he believed his food and vapes had been poisoned and that a “hitman” was out to get him after he was accused of stealing from fellow prisoners.

The court heard those fears were linked to an earlier allegation during a previous spell in custody that he had taken part in retrieving so-called “throw overs” - packages containing drugs dropped into the prison grounds by drone - and had subsequently been branded a thief and a "grass" by others on the wing.

The court heart there was evidence that Elgood had previously been exploited to collected "throw overs" at HMP Norwich and may have been in drug debt.

After returning to prison on December 17, 2024, Elgood was placed on the induction wing before being moved to a single cell. He disclosed a history of depression and anxiety and said he had previously self-harmed, but denied having any current suicidal thoughts at the time of his initial assessment.

Within a day, however, he began expressing fears for his safety.

On December 18, he told an officer he believed contract killers were trying to kill him and warned: “I’ll be dead tonight if you don’t get me out tonight.”

He said he wanted to isolate himself because he was too frightened to mix with other inmates, refusing to take part in the prison regime.

The........

© Norwich Evening News