The case arose after Ms Cox, a prison catering manager, was seriously injured when a prisoner working in the kitchen dropped a 25kg bag of rice on her back, causing severe spinal injuries. The MoJ was liable, ruled the Supreme Court, even though the prisoner was not an employee, because he was carrying out kitchen work after being selected for training and was being supervised by prison staff. He was placed in a position that enabled him to carry out the work, and he was the MoJ’s responsibility.