Alan Hobbs

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Alan Hobbs,
a prisoner at HMP Full Sutton,
on 5 September 2024
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2025
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1. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman aims to make a significant contribution to
safer, fairer custody and community supervision. One of the most important ways in
which we work towards that aim is by carrying out independent investigations into
deaths, due to any cause, of prisoners, young people in detention, residents of
approved premises and detainees in immigration centres.
2. If my office is to best assist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in
ensuring the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate,
our recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially
the case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
3. In August 1999, Mr Hobbs was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. He died
of bilateral pneumonia (infection of both lungs) on 5 September 2024 at HMP Full
Sutton. He had been diagnosed with tonsillar cancer (throat cancer) which
contributed to but did not cause his death. He was 57 years old. We offer our
condolences to Mr Hobbs’ family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Hobbs’ next of kin to explain the investigation
and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They did not
respond.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Hobbs’
clinical care at Full Sutton.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Hobbs received at Full
Sutton was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected
to receive in the community. He found that Mr Hobbs’ medical records contained
evidence of appropriate individualised end of life care planning.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Hobbs’
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
8. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher January 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
The inquest hearing was held on 1 May 2025. The Coroner concluded that Mr Hobbs died
of natural causes.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE