Frederick Stallwood

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Frederick
Stallwood, a prisoner at HMP
Littlehey, on 10 December 2023
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, 2024
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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 November 2017, Mr Frederick Stallwood was sentenced to 20 years
imprisonment for sexual offences. He died from disseminated prostate cancer on 10
December 2023 at HMP Littlehey. He was 89 years old. We offer our condolences
to Mr Stallwood’s family and friends.
4. We were advised by the prison that Mr Stallwood had no identified next of kin.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Stallwood’s clinical care at HMP Littlehey.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Stallwood received at HMP
Littlehey was of a good standard and was equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. He found that the healthcare team managed
Mr Stallwood’s care appropriately and called on external specialist teams for
support when required, including using the skills of the local Tissue Viability Team
to manage his wound dressings. The clinical reviewer did not make any
recommendations.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Stallwood’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern and we make no
recommendations.
8. We identified good practice in the detailed time to talk sessions provided to staff
and prisoners following Mr Stallwood’s death.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
10. At an inquest held on 14 October 2024, the Coroner concluded that Mr Stallwood
died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher May 2024
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