Prisoner Ombudsman Publishes Report Into a Death in Custody
Published on October 10 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.
The Prisoner Ombudsman has today published a report relating to the death of Mr Wallace Ferguson, who was remanded into custody in Maghaberry Prison on 27th September 2023.
Mr Ferguson was found unresponsive in his cell on 12th February 2024. Attempts by Northern Ireland Prison Service and Healthcare in Prisons staff at resuscitation were unsuccessful and life was pronounced extinct at 23:17. Mr Ferguson was 55 years old. The cause of death recorded on the postmortem was “Hanging”.
The Prisoner Ombudsman’s investigation concluded the healthcare received by Mr Ferguson was at least equivalent to what he might have received within the community.
There were no recommendations made to the Northern Ireland Prison Service or the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
Speaking on the publication of the report into Mr Ferguson’s death, the Prisoner Ombudsman, Darrin Jones, said:
“I offer my condolences to Mr Ferguson’ family on their loss. I would like to thank Mr Ferguson’ family, Northern Ireland Prison Service and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for their cooperation with the investigation conducted by my Office.”