Ombudsman to probe prisoner death

The Prison Ombudsman is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of an inmate in Magilligan Prison in County Londonderry.

The body of Thomas McKenzie-Quinn, 45, from Belfast, was found in a special supervision unit in the jail. He was serving six years for robbery.

The news came after a report found that conditions at the jail need to improve.

Robin Masefield, Director of the NI Prison Service, expressed his sympathy to Mr McKenzie's family.

The Prison Ombudsman is appointed by the secretary of state and investigates complaints from prisoners held in Northern Ireland who are unhappy with the answer they receive from the Prison Service.

The Ombudsman is independent of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).

The current Ombudsman is Brian Coulter, and a team of investigators and other staff supports him.

Details of the prison death came on the day a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons and the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice said that the jail should be rebuilt.

They made an unannounced visit to Magilligan in May and found unsafe and unsanitary units among unsuitable buildings and recommended that the existing H-blocks be demolished.

The report also said the amount of prisoners who said they felt unsafe in the jail had risen.