A forensic psychiatrist has told an inquest into the death of a prison inmate, when someone requests a segregation order, more should be done to clarify the request.
Bradley Twidle who was 20, was found dead in his cell at Christchurch Men's Prison in December 2013.
Coroner CJ Devonport said the inquest was necessary as the death happened while Mr Twidle was in the care of the the Department of Corrections.
The court heard yesterday that Twidle was concerned for his safety after a man who was convicted of assaulting him was moved to the same prison.
A segregation order was in place at the time of Mr Twidle's death but the pair were in close proximity, and Mr Twidle could hear the other inmate yelling threats at him.
Forensic psychiatrist Eric Monasterio said today that when an inmate requested a segregation order, it should be established if it was because they feel physically threatened, intimidated or stressed.
A prison officer who has name suppression said segregation orders were used for physical separation only, and it was nearly impossible to stop visual and verbal contact between inmates.
