Ryan Harding Prevention of future deaths report

PFD Report Response Pending Ref: 2026-0054
Date of Report 4 February 2026
Coroner David Regan
Response Deadline ✓ from report 3 April 2026
7 days left · 0 of 1 responded
Response Status
Responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 3 Apr 2026
7 days left to respond
About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Coroner’s Concerns
(3) The inquest heard evidence that the windows of Alpha and Bravo blocks did in 2023 and continue to require upgrading in order to reduce the ability of illicit materials including drugs and mobile phones to enter the prison.

(3) The gate house continues to require upgrading to enable enhanced security to be afforded to reduce the ability of illicit materials including drugs and mobile phones to enter the prison.

(3) On the morning of 8th January 2023, the scheduled morning welfare check did not take place. The evidence of officers was that this was delayed for lack of a staff member and had been delayed on other occasions.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
A Coronial investigation was commenced on 3rd February 2023 into the death of Ryan Harding. The Investigation concluded at the end of an inquest which I conducted with a jury on 19th – 28th January 2026. The conclusion of the jury was that Mr Harding’s death was drug related. The medical cause of death was 1(a) Sudden unexpected death in a

Phone/Ffôn (01443) 281100 Fax/Ffacs (01443) 485862 man with epilepsy (following head injury), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, who had ingested receptor agonists, .
Circumstances of the Death
These were recorded as:-

“Ryan Harding died between 7th – 8th January 2023 in his cell overnight, as a result of consuming drugs.”

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Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

HMP Maghaberry lessons learned
Billy Wright Inquiry
Prison Overcrowding & Staff Vacancies

Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.