The prisons ombudsman said: “Our investigations are important as they help ensure that lessons are learned when someone dies in custody”
General image inside HMP Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
There are currently 23 outstanding death investigations ongoing at Merseyside’s two prisons. Both HMP Liverpool, in Walton, and privately-operated HMP Altcourse, in Fazakerley, have been visited by prison inspectors in 2025, with both reports outlying how self-harm and suicide were sadly prevalent.
Inspectors in Liverpool found there had “not been enough focus” on supporting the most vulnerable men in the prison population, many of whom were addicted to drugs or alcohol. The watchdog found there had been over 600 incidents of self-harm and seven suicides at the jail since 2022.
Meanwhile in Altcourse there had been six self-inflicted deaths since the previous inspection in 2021. Like Liverpool, there was also a concerning rise in the self-harm rate.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigates every death in custody, as well as any death 14 days after release from jail. According to the ombudsman, there are nearly two dozen active death investigations listed on its website. Deaths are usually down to medical conditions or sadly suicide.
The ECHO reports on all prison deaths because we believe it important to hold to account the relevant authorities and ensure lessons are learnt. Both HMP Liverpool and Altcourse confirmed they will assist the ombudsman with his investigations.
Ombudsman Adrian Usher said: “There are currently 23 death investigations listed on our website with either HMP Altcourse or HMP Liverpool as the related establishment, which my office is currently investigating. Five of these 23 deaths occurred following release from the prison. I will make my final investigation report for each of these cases public once the inquest concludes.
“My office is investigating these deaths because under our terms of reference, we launch an investigation whenever anyone dies in prison in England and Wales. Our investigations are important as they help ensure that lessons are learned when someone dies in custody.
“We also make national and local recommendations to prisons regarding deaths in custody, and there are many important themes that emerge from our findings. The aim of our recommendations is to ensure that deaths are prevented and to identify where learning is needed.”
Here are the 23 death investigations currently listed by the PPO website –
HMP Liverpool
Brian Holland
Date of birth: 27/08/1970
Date of death: 08/07/2024
In prison
The ECHO understands Holland was in prison for possession of a knife.
David Taylor
Date of birth: Unknown
Date of death: 04/12/2024
In prison
Taylor had previous convictions including a suspended sentence for possessing a discarded saw blade outside Tesco. It is not known what he was serving a sentence for at the time of his death.
Richard Sheridan
Date of birth: Unknown
Date of death: 26/11/2024
Post-release
It is not currently known at this stage what Sheridan had served his sentence for. Nor is it known where he is from or where he died.
Michael Jones
Date of birth: 11/12/1973
Date of death: 17/02/2025
In prison
Jones was sentenced for burglary offences around 10 days before his death.
Joseph Murphy
Date of birth: 19/06/1975
Date of death: 01/03/2025
In prison
It is not currently known at this stage what Murphy was serving a sentence for. Nor is it known where he is from or where he died.
Steven Brown
Date of birth: 21/08/1986
Date of death: 12/07/2025
Post-release
It is not currently known at this stage what Brown had served his sentence for. Nor is it known where he is from or where he died.
Carl Mason
Date of birth: 17/12/1980
Date of death: 10/09/2025
In prison
It is not currently known at this stage what Mason was serving his sentence for. Nor is it known where he is from or where he died.
Nathan Byrnes
Date of birth: Unknown, but aged 38
Date of death: 21/07/2023
In prison
The ECHO understands Byrnes was in prison for burglary offences.
David Almond
Date of birth: 10/10/1943
Date of death: 14/09/2024
In prison.
It is not currently known at this stage what Almond was serving his sentence for. Nor is it known where he is from or where he died.
John Sadler
Date of birth: 30/07/1992
Date of death: 26/11/2024
In prison
Sadler, of Woodchurch, died in prison on the day he was due to be sentenced for new offences including communication and image charges involving both real children and police decoys. He was already a convicted child sex offender.
Michael Lunt
Date of birth: 11/07/1983
Date of death: 17/07/2023
In prison
Lunt, from Fazakerley, was on remand after being charged with attempted robbery.
David Jervis
Date of birth: 20/12/1959
Date of death: 12/07/2023
In prison
Jervis, of Warrington, was serving a five-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.
HMP Altcourse
Ryan Kenny
Date of birth: 17/05/1994
Date of death: 09/04/2025
Post-release
Kenny had been banned from Liverpool city centre for a string of offences including sexually assaulting a young student and punching a transgender woman to steal her handbag. He died days after his release.
Paul Charmley
Date of birth: 07/08/1972
Date of death: 20/06/2025
In prison
At this stage, it is unclear where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
Colin Taggart
Date of birth: 19/03/1964
Date of death: 20/07/2025
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
John Cushion
Date of birth: 09/06/1985
Date of death: 13/08/2025
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
Philip Pope
Date of birth: 11/08/1983
Date of death: 28/08/2025
Post-release
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he had served a prison sentence for.
Anthony Doyle
Date of birth: 25/10/1968
Date of death: 10/07/2024
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
Andrew Eggington
Date of birth: 23/04/1989
Date of death: 12/08/2024
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
Peter Lunt
Date of birth: 04/11/1969
Date of death: 23/02/2025
Post-release
Lunt had been arrested in January after items were allegedly stolen from a paramedic’s medical bag in Widnes. He pleaded guilty to drugs possession but denied theft. He died within 14 days of his release from prison.
Paul Smyth
Date of birth: 30/01/1964
Date of death: 12/10/2024
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
David Glass
Date of birth: Unknown
Date of death: 20/02/2024
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.
Paul Wildman
Date of birth: 19/03/1989
Date of death: 16/11/2023
In prison
It is not currently known where the prisoner was from or what he was serving a prison sentence for.