The wife of a prisoner who died of a suspected asthma attack while in custody last December last night asked when justice would finally be done.

Lee-Ann Samuels Dill, who had lived with Stephen (Pepe) Dill for 15 years when he died just before Christmas last year, said it was almost the anniversary of his death and she still did not have answers.

The family has claimed that wardens at the prison farm failed to get help quickly enough when Mr. Dill, 39, began to suffer a serious asthma attack.

As a result, she said she believed her husband had died when he should have been returning to her and his two sons after release just two months later.

Ms Samuels Dill, a community nurse, said: “I'm getting really frustrated. It's taken almost a year and we are still waiting to see what will happen.

“The investigation is done, and the report was handed to the office of the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions), but we have heard nothing since.

“I believe it was definitely neglect. They (prison wardens) ignored him. He could have been alive today if someone had just called an ambulance.

“I want this dealt with properly. I want justice done. I won't be happy until it goes to the courts and justice is served.”

But last night, Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister said he had had a meeting with Ms Samuels Dill and other family members a few weeks ago, and then had had a second meeting with his family just last Thursday.

However, he said on that second occasion, Mr. Dill's wife was not present, and he was unaware as to why.

As a result, he said he was surprised she had chosen to go to the Press to seek information.

“I have an open door to Ms Dill, as I have to the whole family,” said Mr. Lister.

“We will sit down and talk to her. We have nothing to hide from the family. We want the family to know all we know.

“In speaking with the family, there is no desire on their part that we communicate to the public on where we stand.”

He said if the family was happy for him to disclose information to the public, then he would definitely do so.

But he said until they did, he would remain tight-lipped.

However, he did say that the report had been with the DPP, but it was now back with his Ministry.

He added: “I can't tell you what is going to happen next at this stage.”

Ms Samuels Dill said she would not rest until the truth was known.

She said: “ He was my life. He was my children's father. Yes, he did wrong, but he was still human and we were looking forward to having him back home.

“We need closure.”