Prisoner Ombudsman publishes report into a Death in Custody
Published on August 22 2025
The Office of the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is responsible for providing an independent and impartial investigation into deaths in prison custody in Northern Ireland, this includes the deaths of people shortly after their release from prison.
Mr Davidson was remanded into custody in Maghaberry Prison on 15 July 2021. He was found unresponsive in his cell on 28th August 2021. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful and life was pronounced extinct at 11:35. Mr Davidson was 53 years old. The cause of death recorded on the postmortem was “Hanging”.
The Prisoner Ombudsman undertook an investigation into the circumstances of Mr Davidson’s death, which included a Clinical Review into the healthcare aspects of his time in custody and the potential impacts on his wellbeing. The Ombudsman’s investigation concluded the healthcare received by Mr Davidson was at least equivalent to that available within the community.
The report makes one recommendation for the Northern Ireland Prison Service in relation to tasking an emergency ambulance immediately when a person is found unresponsive.
Speaking on the publication of the report into Mr Davidson’s death, the Prisoner Ombudsman, Darrin Jones, said:
“I offer my condolences to Mr Davidson’s family on their loss. I hope this report addresses questions they raised and details events leading up to Thomas’ death. I would like to thank Mr Davidson’s family, Northern Ireland Prison Service and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for their cooperation with the investigation conducted by my Office”.