Jail criticised for releasing terminally ill killer

A watchdog has criticised a prison after a terminally ill inmate who murdered his wife was released on compassionate grounds without the correct paperwork.

Michael Tate, 83, died of lung cancer in a hospice on 6 February 2025, while a prisoner at HMP Gartree in Leicestershire - which failed to resubmit a compassionate release request for him.

His wife, Margaret Tate was found dead with six stab wounds in an outbuilding at her home in Scunthorpe in 2014.

A spokesperson for the prison service said changes had been made in response to the watchdog's findings.

Tate stabbed his wife of 20 years in a drunken row in the kitchen of their home before dragging her to the outbuilding, Hull Crown Court heard.

Margaret Tate, who was 63, was found face-down on the floor with part of a garden lounger on top of her.

She had died from loss of blood from a major artery as a result of four stab wounds to the neck, two to the mouth and front of the neck.

The prosecution said she had turned down £50,000 to leave her husband.

Tate was sentenced to life in prison for murder in May 2015 and was moved to HMP Gartree in July 2022.

Tate was diagnosed with terminal cancer on 16 October 2024, and staff at HMP Gartree submitted an application for his early release on compassionate grounds (ERCG) two weeks later.

On 29 November 2024, Psychiatric and Psychological Consultant Services refused the application as they considered Tate "still posed a risk to the public" and his care needs could still be met by the prison.

In their refusal letter, they advised the governor to monitor Tate's condition and submit another application in the event he deteriorated.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said it found an application for Tate's ERCG was not resubmitted when his condition deteriorated in December 2024.

The watchdog said no consideration was given to granting him release on temporary licence (ROTL) when he was admitted to a hospice.

It added the prison's governor should ensure a "robust process is in place to review ERCG refusals and resubmit applications where an inmate's health has deteriorated".

Staff should understand the requirements for ROTL for medical purposes and implement a "robust process" to ensure applications are made when appropriate, the ombudsman added.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: "We have made changes to address these findings and to better support prisoners with terminal illnesses at HMP Gartree.

"Offenders' eligibility for early release on compassionate grounds is reviewed and assessed on a weekly basis and staff have been reminded of our policy."

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