NINE prisoners in Northern Ireland have died of drugs and alcohol abuse within days of leaving jail over the last three years. In his annual report, Prisoner Ombudsman Tom McGonigle said two of the men died within 24 hours, both from a suspected heroin overdose. All nine died less than 10 days after being released, despite having been subject to treatment programmes while in jail. Heroin misuse was linked to almost all the deaths, which occurred while the prisoners were still subject to monitoring arrangements as part of their release. One man died of a heart attack, thought to hav[...]