Beloved Brother Dies in Prison While Serving 99-Year Sentence, Raising Questions

Tommy Nicol, the cherished brother of Donna Mooney, tragically died by suicide in prison in 2015 while serving an indeterminate 99-year sentence for stealing a car. Nicol, who struggled with dyslexia and often found himself in trouble at school, had a history of petty crimes that led to his incarceration at a young age.

Nicol's path through the criminal justice system began when he was sent to a secure training center as a youth. He later ended up at Feltham young offender institution, where he attempted suicide as a teenager, foreshadowing the mental health challenges he would face during his prolonged imprisonment.

Unknown to Mooney until after her brother's death, Nicol had been given an indeterminate sentence known as "imprisonment for public protection" (IPP). This controversial sentencing structure, which was later abolished in 2012 but not applied retrospectively, allowed for the potential of lifelong incarceration for offenders like Nicol.

Why this matters: Nicol's case highlights the severe psychological toll and lack of hope experienced by prisoners serving IPP sentences. Since the introduction of this sentencing law, at least 90 IPP prisoners are known to have taken their own lives while trapped in a system that offered little chance of release or rehabilitation.

Mooney's heartbreaking story sheds light on the plight of the many prisoners who remain caught in the IPP system, even after its abolishment. "The IPP sentence is a death sentence," Mooney stated, emphasizing the dire consequences of this sentencing structure on the mental well-being of those subjected to it.

The tragic loss of Tommy Nicol while serving an indeterminate sentence for a non-violent crime raises serious questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the IPP system. As the public and policymakers confront the aftermath of this sentencing structure, the human cost of indefinite incarceration cannot be ignored. Nicol's story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for criminal justice reform and the importance of addressing the mental health needs of those within the prison system.

Key Takeaways

• Tommy Nicol, Donna Mooney's brother, died by suicide in prison in 2015.
• Nicol was serving an indeterminate 99-year sentence for stealing a car.
• Nicol's case highlights the severe psychological toll of "imprisonment for public protection".
• At least 90 IPP prisoners have taken their own lives while trapped in the system.
• Nicol's story raises questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the IPP system.