A widow is calling on her late husband’s former colleagues to come forward with information about working conditions at HM Prison Wandsworth.

Roderick Eade passed away aged 83 from Mesothelioma, an industrial disease caused by exposure to asbestos. His wife Julie believes he may have come in to contact with the hazardous material during his employment at the facility.

Known as ‘Rod’, Julie’s husband worked as a Prison Officer for over 20 years from 1971 to 1995 at HMP Wandsworth, the largest Category B men’s prison in the UK.

Julie Eade said: “There were numerous times when Rod mentioned about renovation work and that asbestos was in the building.

“Parts of the prison had asbestos roofs which were in a poor state of repair. One wing required a complete re-roof and was leaking around the connection points on the asbestos sheets.

“I believe that Rod was exposed to harmful dust from the material during his service at Wandsworth. You don’t think much of it at the time, as you think your employer must be doing its best to protect you from risk.

“I’m hoping that Rod’s former colleagues can help. We’d be really grateful if they could contact us if they have key information that would mean we can better understand what happened.”

Despite being fit and active, Rod suffered from shortness of breath for several months before tests at Frimley Park hospital in Camberley showed that he had Mesothelioma in October 2015.

After his diagnosis, Roderick received chemotherapy treatment but sadly his health deteriorated, and he passed away on the July 23, 2017. Now his wife and three children want to know what happened.

Julie added: “Rod complained of slight breathlessness when he exerted himself, but we just put it down to his age catching up with him.

“One morning he sat up in bed and was literally gasping for breath and could barely speak. I tried to calm him down and we made an emergency appointment with our GP.

“The GP sent him for a chest X-ray and we were told that Rod had fluid on his lungs which they found Mesothelioma cells in.

“It was an absolutely awful time for Rod and the whole family. We miss him so much and we want some answers as to how this could happen.”

Joanne Candlish, Solicitor and Department Manager for Asbestos at Your Legal Friend said: “This is yet another example of how employers can fail to take their responsibilities towards employee welfare seriously.

“The dangers of asbestos have been known for decades and much more should have been done to protect individuals from exposure.

“We’d really appreciate it if Rod’s former colleagues would contact us with any relevant information. They may help secure some form of justice for Roderick, Julie and their family by helping with this case.”

When approached for a comment the Ministry of Justice declined to comment on an ongoing legal proceeding. 

Anyone who believes they can provide useful information can contact Joanne Candlish on: 0800 170 1006