![\"General](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Inside-HMP-Liverpool-pictured-G-Wing-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\")
General image inside HMP Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\nThe 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)<\/p>\n
There are currently 23 outstanding death investigations ongoing at Merseyside’s two prisons. Both HMP Liverpool, in Walton<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Inspectors in Liverpool<\/a> found there had “not been enough focus” on supporting the most vulnerable men in the prison population<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Meanwhile in Altcourse<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> listed on its website. Deaths are usually down to medical conditions or sadly suicide.<\/p>\n The ECHO<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Here are the 23 death investigations currently listed by the PPO website –<\/p>\n HMP Liverpool<\/p>\n Brian Holland<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 27\/08\/1970<\/p>\n Date of death: 08\/07\/2024<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n The ECHO<\/a> understands Holland was in prison for possession of a knife.<\/p>\n David Taylor<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: Unknown<\/p>\n Date of death: 04\/12\/2024<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n Taylor had previous convictions including a suspended sentence for possessing a discarded saw blade outside Tesco<\/a>. It is not known what he was serving a sentence for at the time of his death.<\/p>\n Richard Sheridan<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: Unknown<\/p>\n Date of death: 26\/11\/2024<\/p>\n Post-release<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Michael Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 11\/12\/1973<\/p>\n Date of death: 17\/02\/2025<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n Jones was sentenced for burglary offences around 10 days before his death.<\/p>\n Joseph Murphy<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 19\/06\/1975<\/p>\n Date of death: 01\/03\/2025<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Steven Brown<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 21\/08\/1986<\/p>\n Date of death: 12\/07\/2025<\/p>\n Post-release<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Carl Mason<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 17\/12\/1980<\/p>\n Date of death: 10\/09\/2025<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Nathan Byrnes<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: Unknown, but aged 38<\/p>\n Date of death: 21\/07\/2023<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n The ECHO understands Byrnes was in prison for burglary offences.<\/p>\n David Almond<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 10\/10\/1943<\/p>\n Date of death: 14\/09\/2024<\/p>\n In prison.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n John Sadler<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 30\/07\/1992<\/p>\n Date of death: 26\/11\/2024<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Michael Lunt<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 11\/07\/1983<\/p>\n Date of death: 17\/07\/2023<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n Lunt, from Fazakerley<\/a>, was on remand after being charged with attempted robbery.<\/p>\n David Jervis<\/strong><\/p>\n Date of birth: 20\/12\/1959<\/p>\n Date of death: 12\/07\/2023<\/p>\n In prison<\/p>\n Jervis, of Warrington<\/a>, was serving a five-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.<\/p>\n HMP Altcourse<\/p>\n