Eric Heald

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Eric Heald,
a prisoner at
HMP/YOI Doncaster,
on 28 June 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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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 June 2023, Mr Eric Heald was sentenced to 13 years in prison for sexual
offences. He died of acute myocardial ischaemia (reduced blood flow to the heart)
on 28 June 2025, at HMP Doncaster. He was 90 years old. We offer our
condolences to Mr Heald’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Heald’s next of kin to explain the investigation
and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They had concerns
about why they could not visit Mr Heald in the last few days prior to his death and
asked for a copy of our report. We have addressed the next of kin’s concerns in
separate correspondence.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr Heald’s
clinical care at HMP Doncaster.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Heald received at
Doncaster was of a standard equivalent to what he could have expected to receive
in the community. She found appropriate care planning was in place for Mr Heald’s
health conditions. Healthcare and social care staff reviewed him regularly, which
resulted in continuity of care and effective relationships being formed. The clinical
reviewer made one recommendation not related to Mr Heald’s death that the Head
of Healthcare will wish to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Heald’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of sufficient concern to require a
recommendation.
Governor to note
8. Due to Mr Heald’s health issues, he received informal support with everyday tasks
from another prisoner on the same wing.
9. Mr Heald’s next of kin raised concerns with the allocated Family Liaison Officer
(FLO), that they had received updates on Mr Heald’s condition from the other
prisoner and not from prison staff. The FLO raised her concerns with the Head of
Safety, however she assured us that in her 15 years’ experience as the FLO, this
had never happened before. We are satisfied that this is not a systemic issue, but
the Governor will want to reflect on the learning.
10. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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11. Mr Heald’s family received a copy of the initial report. They did not make any
comments.
Adrian Usher January 2026
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
At the inquest held on 19 March 2026, the coroner concluded Mr Heald died of natural
causes.
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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