Edward Hinchliffe

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Independent investigation into the
death of Mr Edward Hinchliffe,
a prisoner at HMP Ashfield,
on 5 October 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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© Crown copyright, 2026
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visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
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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. Mr Edward Hinchliffe was recalled to prison on 5 September 2020. He was later
sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment for sexual offences and causing
death by dangerous driving. Mr Hinchliffe died in hospital on 5 October 2024, while
a prisoner at HMP Ashfield. He was 78 years old. The cause of his death was
neutropenic sepsis (a type of sepsis with abnormally low white blood cells) caused
by diffuse large B cell lymphoma (blood cancer). He also had underlying cirrhosis,
heart disease, heart failure and diabetes, which contributed to his death. We offer
our condolences to Mr Hinchliffe’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Hinchliffe’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr
Hinchliffe’s clinical care at Ashfield. The clinical reviewer’s report is attached as
Annex 1. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Hinchliffe received
at Ashfield was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. She made recommendations not related to
Mr Hinchliffe’s death that the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Hinchliffe’s
care. Mr Hinchliffe was granted temporary release on a special purpose licence
while he was in hospital. Prison managers discussed the possibility of early release
on compassionate grounds. They intended to consider it further after he was
discharged from hospital and there was an indication of his life expectancy.
7. We make no recommendations.
8. Mr Hinchliffe’s next of kin received a copy of the initial report. He did not report any
factual inaccuracies.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). They
found no factual inaccuracies.
Director to note
10. Mr Hinchcliffe transferred to hospital in the early hours of the morning and was
restrained by single handcuffs for the journey and for a short while after he was
admitted. Healthcare staff were not on duty and could not therefore provide medical
input into the restraints risk assessment. However, Mr Hinchcliffe was clearly frail,
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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with reduced mobility and in poor condition. The Director will want to consider the
learning from this case.
Inquest
11. At an inquest held on 23 February 2026, the coroner concluded that Mr Hinchliffe
died from natural causes.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman December 2025
2 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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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
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