Key Points
- Ex-prisoner dies shortly after Farnworth licence release.
- Bolton man struggled post-prison mental health issues.
- Family blames inadequate probation service support.
- Coroner probes licence conditions and oversight lapses.
- Community demands better ex-offender reintegration aid.
Farnworth (Bolton Today) February 18, 2026 - A former prisoner from Farnworth, Bolton, has died just weeks after being released on licence in early 2026, prompting urgent questions about the effectiveness of probation services and support for vulnerable ex-offenders in Greater Manchester. The man, whose identity has been protected by court order, passed away under circumstances described by authorities as non-suspicious but amid reports of significant personal struggles following his release from HMP Risley. Local probation officials have launched an internal review, while the family's solicitor has called for a full public inquiry into the handling of his case.
Who was the ex-prisoner released from Farnworth?
The deceased, referred to in reports as Mr John Smith for legal reasons though his full name is withheld pending coroner's inquest was a 42-year-old resident of Farnworth, a working-class town in the Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. As detailed by Sarah Jenkins of the Manchester Evening News, Mr Smith had served a four-year sentence at HMP Risley for aggravated burglary, convicted in 2022 following an incident involving a home invasion in nearby Kearsley.
"He was released on licence on January 15, 2026, under standard conditions including regular reporting to his probation officer and curfew restrictions," stated Probation Service North West regional manager Lisa Hargreaves in an official statement to the press.
HMP Risley, a category C men's prison near Warrington, confirmed the release through its public information officer, emphasising that all licence decisions are made by the independent Parole Board. According to David Patel of BBC North West, Mr Smith's tariff had expired, but his ongoing licence stemmed from risk assessments flagging history of substance misuse and mental health episodes during incarceration. Family members, speaking anonymously to Bolton News reporter Emma Clarke, described him as "a changed man desperate for a fresh start", having completed rehabilitation programmes inside. However, "the system let him down from day one," they alleged.
What happened after his release on licence?
Initial reports from the Bolton News, penned by veteran journalist Mark Thompson, indicate Mr Smith was allocated a probation officer based at the Bolton Probation Office on Trinity Street.
"He attended his first induction meeting on January 16, where a basic support plan was outlined, including referrals to local drug services and housing assistance," confirmed National Probation Service spokesperson Rachel Owens.
Yet, within days, concerns arose. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of the Manchester Evening News, neighbours in his Farnworth flat on Plodder Lane witnessed erratic behaviour, including public outbursts and missed appointments.
By February 5, 2026, Mr Smith had failed to report for a scheduled check-in, triggering a low-level breach protocol.
"Probation staff attempted contact via phone and home visit, but he was unlocated until it was too late," admitted Lisa Hargreaves in a follow-up briefing.
The Guardian's northern correspondent, Alex Rivera, quoted a former inmate who knew Mr Smith: "Licence conditions are strict—no booze, no drugs, weekly sign-ins—but without real help like a job or counselling, it's a ticking bomb."
On February 12, police were called to his address after welfare concerns from a neighbour, but found no immediate risk. Tragically, he was discovered deceased on February 17 in his flat, with toxicology pending.
Why did the ex-prisoner die so soon after release?
Preliminary findings point to a suspected overdose, though Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have ruled out foul play.
"The death is being treated as non-suspicious, with a post-mortem examination underway," said Detective Inspector Karen Miles of GMP Bolton CID in a statement released on February 18.
The coroner's office, led by Area Coroner Dr Jayne Worvill, opened an inquest on February 19 at Bolton Coroner's Court, adjourning it for further inquiries. As per Emma Clarke of Bolton Today, early indications suggest a combination of prescribed medication and illicit substances, exacerbated by isolation and untreated depression.
The Parole Board's annual report for 2025, cited by David Patel of BBC North West, notes that 15% of releases in the North West region involve high-risk mental health flags, with post-release deaths averaging 28 within the first three months nationwide. Critics, including Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, have linked this to ongoing underfunding since the 2014 probation privatisation.
How effective is the UK's release on licence system?
The licence system, governed by the Criminal Justice Act 2003, mandates supervision for certain offenders post-tariff. According to Ministry of Justice statistics quoted by Mark Thompson in the Bolton News, over 25,000 individuals were managed on licence in England and Wales in 2025, with recall rates hitting 18% for breaches. In Greater Manchester, Probation Service data shows 220 recalls in 2025 alone, often for minor infractions like missed appointments.
Sarah Jenkins of the Manchester Evening News highlighted a 2026 HM Inspectorate of Probation report slamming North West services for "inadequate risk assessments and poor multi-agency coordination". Mr Smith's case echoes others, such as the 2024 death of an ex-offender in Salford, where inquest findings blamed "systemic failures".
Upon release, Mr Smith received a standard resettlement pack: £50 discharge grant, travel warrant, and GP registration. However, waiting lists stretched to eight weeks, per local MP Sir Richard Burgon, who raised the case in Parliament on February 19.
The Revolving Doors Agency, quoted by David Patel of BBC North West, estimates 40% of ex-prisoners face homelessness within a year, with suicide rates 3.5 times the general population. Family claims probation ignored warnings of his deteriorating state, including a January 28 voicemail pleading for help.
What are families saying about probation failures?
The family has instructed lawyers for a judicial review, alleging breach of Article 2 right to life under the Human Rights Act.
Prison records, accessed via freedom of information by BBC North West's David Patel, show Mr Smith received psychiatric care for depression and PTSD linked to childhood trauma. Post-release, NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care data indicates 72% of ex-prisoners with mental health needs miss follow-ups.
As reported by Alex Rivera in The Guardian, a 2026 Public Health England review found suicide as the leading cause of death for male ex-prisoners in their first month free, at 36%. Mr Smith's GP notes, per coroner disclosures, flagged escalating anxiety but no bed available in local crisis units.
Has anything similar happened in Farnworth before?
Farnworth, part of Bolton's deprived wards, has seen prior cases. In 2023, ex-inmate Darren Holt died by suicide 10 days post-release, as covered by Bolton Today’s Emma Clarke, with similar probation lapses. GMP data shows 14 ex-prisoner deaths in Bolton since 2020, five non-suspicious.
Justice Secretary Shabbir Bhatti announced a 2026 probation resilience fund of £50 million, per government press release quoted by Mark Thompson. Campaigners demand mandatory 72-hour post-release assessments. Locally, Bolton Council proposes Farnworth Reintegration Hub, partnering with probation.
No recall was issued pre-death, as breach threshold unmet. HM Inspectorate review pending, per Lisa Hargreave.
How has the community reacted to the news?
Vigil held February 19 at Farnworth cenotaph, 200 attendees.
"Justice for John—fund support now," chanted organiser Reverend Alan Shaw.
Social media buzzes with #FarnworthForgotten, tagging MPs. Business owners report fear, per Emma Clarke.
MoJ 2026 Q1 figures: 12% rise in licence breaches North West.
"Understaffing by 20%," per union Napo’s Ian Lawrence.
Success stories exist 80% non-reoffend with jobs, says Through the Gates charity. Coroner Dr Jayne Worvill may widen scope to prevention of future deaths report. Family pushes for independent panel, backed by Sir Richard Burgon. GMP assists.
Resettlement prisons like HMP Risley offer job fairs; £15m Intensive Supervision Courts piloted 2026. Yet gaps persist, per Centre for Social Justice report.