Grace Colbourne’s story

Grace Colbourne shares her terrifying experience of medical neglect inside HMP Bronzefield after her cancer diagnosis, revealing the brutal reality of healthcare for imprisoned women in England.

Pullout Text: “I felt like a slave. How could I not even get a sponge bath, deodorant, a change of clothes?”

Hello, I’m Grace Colbourne. I’m Antiguan, I’m 37, and I have a military background. In September 2024, I was arrested for importation and pleaded guilty straight away.

At the end of last year, I noticed a lump in my breast. Being athletic, I thought it was a muscle strain. It was small, the size of a pea. I booked to see the prison GP in November, but I didn’t get an appointment until late January. There isn’t a GP on-site at HMP Bronzefield, the private prison in West London where I’ve been remanded.

When I finally saw Dr Syed, he referred me to a breast clinic. I kept checking in February but heard nothing. In March, I was taken to St Peter’s Hospital. The consultant found the lump, ordered biopsies, and took blood. A week later, I was told I had cancer, though no one could tell me what type.

They said the lump needed to be removed urgently. I wanted a double mastectomy, but they refused and insisted I didn’t have a choice. On the day of surgery, the surgeon asked if I’d chosen this operation freely. I told him I hadn’t—that I wanted a double mastectomy. He wanted to delay the operation, but I was so mentally and physically exhausted, I told him to proceed.

The day before, I had a PET scan, which showed more cancer in my lymph nodes. No one told me I’d be having surgery the next day. I wasn’t prepared—no shower, no pre-op wash. At 6am, an officer woke me for a hospital appointment. I was handcuffed in the taxi and chained during prep.

Even in the operating theatre, I was handcuffed. After surgery, I woke up in recovery with a drain in my arm, still in pain, still chained. I was sent back to prison the same day in tight clothing, without a post-op bra or looser clothes. I had to walk without a wheelchair. No nurse saw me on return.

That evening, I began bleeding. I managed to press the cell bell. Officers just stared through the window. The nurse eventually gave me toilet paper. I passed out, hit my head, and lay there for over 20 minutes. A male officer lifted me up. The long-serving nurse wiped away all the blood.

At 10am the next day, I was finally taken to hospital. I was left in a hallway for hours and wasn’t seen until 2am. They found my drain full of clots and swelling under my arm. I got painkillers at 4:05am and was moved to a ward. I couldn’t walk, wasn’t washed, and hadn’t eaten.

I was in a bed, chained to an officer. Nurses gave me shampoo and nappies, but no help. I had to sponge-bathe with a drain in my arm and drip in my hand. I was given a tight gown and a cheese sandwich, even though I’m vegetarian. I lived on biscuits and yoghurt. I felt ignored and neglected.

On Sunday evening, I refused morphine and received no alternative. The officer was concerned. On Monday, no one checked on me. I still had the drain and was still chained. I had to go to the restroom without help. I wasn’t discharged until 5pm. Again, there was no vegan food.

Back at prison, I was still in pain. The cell hadn’t been cleaned. I’ve had constant infections and failed antibiotics. I still don’t know what type of cancer I have. On 24 April, I told Dr Johnson about the swelling and pain. He just said to wait. I’ve never seen a breast cancer nurse. I feel scared and alone.

On 27 April, I still had no information about chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I felt another lump. I have no family or friends here. I feel totally neglected. No special bra. No proper clothes. No real care. I’ve made countless complaints. No one is helping me.

Department of Health and Social Care Response

When contacted for comment, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

“These claims are shocking and we expect the CQC to take action when healthcare provision is not adequate.

We recognise that many women in prison have complex needs and there is work to be done to address health issues for prisoners. The Chief Medical Officer’s report on the overall health in prisons is due to be published this year and we will consider the recommendations and what action may be needed to improve care.”

Background:

• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates healthcare providers in prison.
• The DHSC and NHS England are signatories to the National Partnership Agreement for Health and Social Care for England, which aims to reduce health inequalities in prisons through proper commissioning and delivery of care.
• Cross-government bodies, including the Health and Justice Strategic Partnership Board and the Health, Social Care and Justice Operational Delivery Board, support this delivery.