Eric Harrison

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Eric Harrison,
a prisoner at HMP Whatton, on
14 February 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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© 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. On 11 March 2024, Mr Eric Harrison was sentenced to six years and six months in
prison for sexual offences. He died of multi-organ failure caused by staphylococcus
auris septicaemia (blood poisoning caused by bacteria on the skin) on 14 February
2025, while a prisoner at HMP Whatton. He was 91 years old. We offer our
condolences to Mr Harrison’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Mr Harrison’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters, they wanted us to consider. Mr
Harrison’s next of kin enquired about the care he received at HMP Nottingham prior
to his transfer to Whatton and requested a copy of our report. The care Mr Harrison
received at Nottingham has been addressed in the clinical review.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Harrison’s clinical care at Whatton. The clinical reviewer’s report was attached as
Annex 1.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Harrison received at
Whatton was of a good standard and equivalent to what he could have expected to
receive in the community. She found that Mr Harrison’s medical records contained
evidence of good communication between the healthcare staff at Whatton and the
hospital, as the healthcare team regularly contacted the hospital to check on Mr
Harrison’s wellbeing. The clinical reviewer made recommendations 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. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern.
8. We make no recommendations.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Services (HMPPS) and
Healthcare. HMPPS and Practice Plus Group did not find any factual inaccuracies.
10. At the inquest held on 14 July 2025, the coroner concluded that Mr Eric Harrison
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
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