Clifford Ashton

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Clifford Ashton,
a prisoner at HMP Rye Hill,
on 26 June 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. On 5 March 2013, Mr Clifford Ashton was convicted of rape and sentenced to 17
years in prison.
4. Mr Ashton died of metastatic pancreatic cancer, with diabetes and heart failure
contributing to but not causing his death, on 26 June 2024 at HMP Rye Hill. He was
54 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Ashton’s family and friends.
5. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Ashton’s son to explain the investigation and
to ask if he had any matters he wanted us to consider. He did not respond.
6. We shared the initial report with HM Prison and Probation Service
(HMPPS). HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
7. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Ashton’s
clinical care at HMP Rye Hill.
8. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Ashton received at Rye Hill
was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to
receive in the community. She made two recommendations not related to Mr
Ashton’s death that the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Ashton’s
care.
10. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
Inquest
11. The inquest into Mr Ashton’s death concluded on the 11 November 2024. The
coroner confirmed that Mr Ashton died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher October 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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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