A much-loved dad from Leeds was found dead just days after he was released from prison.
The death of Clide Thompson was investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman because it happened within 14 days of his release from custody.
Mr Thompson, who was 42, was found dead at his home on January 30, 2022, following his release from HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, on January 26. Mr Thompson was a father of four and a popular barber who was known as 'Barber C' around Leeds and Beeston in particular. He was described as a big-hearted person and a great father in tributes paid last year.
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In a report, the Prisons Ombudsman noted that Mr Thompson had written a complaint to a senior probation officer because he was unhappy that his community offender manager had told him that his mother's house was not a suitable release address for him.
The Ombudsman found that the senior probation officer did not follow the complaints process correctly and has issued two recommendations to the head of the Leeds Probation Delivery Unit.
Mr Thompson was remanded in prison custody in August 2021 after breaching a restraining order. In October he was convicted and sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.
Mr Thompson was already under the care of Leeds Probation for a previous violent offence and therefore had a community offender manager (COM). While Mr Thompson was in prison, the COM’s role was to assess the suitability of addresses given by him, for his release.
Mr Thompson was later told that his mother's address was not suitable and he was frustrated by this, according to the Ombudsman's report. He complained to his COM's line manager and asked for a new COM. The senior probation officer told the Ombudsman she did not discuss the complaint with Mr Thompson or escalate it to the complaints team, saying she had a high workload at the time and she did not prioritise completing the task.
Mr Thompson provided his sister's house as a potential release address but this was deemed unsuitable due to 'victim safety concerns'.
On January 21, Mr Thompson was offered a temporary accommodation placement and on January 26 he was released from prison. He attended an induction appointment with his COM which did not raise any concerns.
On January 30, Mr Thompson’s sister contacted the police after he sent texts to his mother saying he was going to hang himself. Police went to Mr Thompson’s accommodation and found him hanged.
The Ombudsman's report said: "Mr Thompson gave no indication to either prison or probation staff that he was at risk of suicide or self-harm. On the day of his release from prison, he met with his COM and gave no cause for concern. We are satisfied that neither prison nor probation staff could have foreseen his death."
An inquest into Mr Thompson's death was held earlier this month which gave a narrative conclusion. It set out the circumstances in which Mr Thompson was found hanged and noted there were no suspicious circumstances.
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