Jesmond Gatt, a 54-year-old man detained at Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic ward while awaiting bail, died after being found with head injuries in a pool of blood on July 13.
Gatt was housed with two other inmates and was discovered on the ground in his room.
He succumbed to his injuries and died at Mater Dei Hospital on Thursday. Gatt had a long criminal history, including a recent charge of arson after allegedly setting fire to a door in Ħamrun.
Although Gatt was granted bail on July 9, he was waiting for his family to pay a €500 bail bond and fulfill other conditions. The circumstances surrounding his injuries remain unclear, and a police investigation and magisterial inquiry are ongoing.
Prison director Chris Siegersma stated that Gatt may have slipped and hit his head but did not comment further due to the active investigation.
The forensic unit at Mount Carmel, managed by prison authorities, has protocols for patient safety, though questions have been raised about the safety of housing mentally ill patients together.
The government has faced criticism for the hospital’s deteriorating conditions and has pledged to close it within four years, beginning with the relocation of some patients.
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