David Harrison

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr David Harrison,
a prisoner at HMP Preston,
on 24 July 2025
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, 2026
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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 26 June 2025, Mr David Harrison was remanded in prison, charged with sexual
offences. He died in hospital of pancreatic cancer on 24 July, while a prisoner at
HMP Preston. He was 60 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Harrison’s
family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Harrison’s partner to explain the investigation
and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She did not respond
to our letter.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr
Harrison’s clinical care at HMP Preston.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Harrison received at
Preston was of a reasonable standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. The clinical reviewer made one
recommendation not related to Mr Harrison’s death that the Head of Healthcare will
wish to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Harrison’s
care.
8. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
9. We shared our initial report with HMPPS and the prison’s healthcare provider,
Practice Plus Group. They found no factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher October 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
At the inquest, held on 25 June 2026, the Coroner concluded that Mr Harrison died from
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