Change at prison after inmate's drug death just days after release

OMBUDSMAN CALLS FOR ALL PRISON LEAVERS WITH HISTORY OF OPIATE USE TO BE ISSUED WITH OVERDOSE REVERSAL KITS

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

THE Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has expressed his concerns after a former Nottingham Prison inmate died just 11 days after his release.

Thomas McMahon, 33, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison in July 2023 after being convicted of assaulting a police officer.

He was released from Ranby Prison on conditional licence in September the same year but was recalled to Nottingham Prison for breaching his home detention curfew nine days later.

Upon his move to the Sherwood jail, Mr McMahon reported a history of opioid misuse, explaining he had previously used “many different types of drugs”.

He declined a referral to the substance misuse team at Nottingham Prison, where healthcare services are provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

He also told a nurse he had mental health problems and was referred to the mental health team.