Prisoner Ombudsman Publishes Report Into a Death in Custody
Published on January 16 2026
The Prisoner Ombudsman has today published a report into the death of Mr Thomas Sloan, who died aged 66 on 5 April 2024 at Craigavon Area Hospital, while in the custody of Maghaberry Prison.
Mr Sloan was committed into custody at Maghaberry Prison on 30 January 2024. During his time in prison, he engaged with Healthcare in Prison staff in relation to ill health and on 22 March 2024, Mr Sloan was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital, where hospital medical staff took over his care and treatment.
Mr Sloan was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on 3 April 2024 and subsequently died two days later on 5 April 2024. The cause of death was aggressive cancer.
The Prisoner Ombudsman’s investigation did not find any action, or lack of action, by the Northern Ireland Prison Service or Healthcare in Prison staff which directly contributed to a negative outcome for Mr Sloan. The report makes no recommendations.
Speaking on the publication of the report into Mr Sloan’s death, the Prisoner Ombudsman, Darrin Jones, said:
“The publication of this report will be difficult for Mr Sloan’s family, and I would like to express my condolences to them. I would like to thank the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust for their co-operation with my investigation.”