Letter: 'Racist' prison chief

THE assertion by Richard Tilt, head of the Prison Service, that, for genetic reasons, black people are more liable than whites to die when in a neck lock (report, 27 March), is to be welcomed. This must mean that instructions have already gone out to everyone in the Prison Service that anyone putting a black person in a neck lock may face charges of attempted murder.

I hope that, when the matter is put to a scientific test, the excellent Mr Tilt will not be one of the strong-necked whites used as controls.

Professor C R LEEDHAM-GREEN

Woodford Green, Essex