Graham Williams

OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Independent investigation into the
death of Mr Graham Williams,
a prisoner at HMP Prescoed,
on 10 November 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
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2025
This report is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0. To view this licence,
visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission
from the copyright holders concerned
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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 HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in ensuring
the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate then our
recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially the
case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
3. On 15 June 2021, Mr Graham Williams was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in
prison for drug offences. On 14 August 2023, he was transferred to HMP Prescoed.
4. Mr Williams died of herpes simplex virus encephalitis (a virus of the brain) on 10
November 2023. He was 70 years old. We offer our condolences to his family and
friends.
5. Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to
review Mr Williams’ clinical care at HMP Prescoed. He concluded that the clinical
care Mr Williams received at Prescoed was of a very high standard and at times
exceeded that which he could have expected to receive in the community. He found
that the care was holistic and compassionate, and he made no recommendations.
He suggested that the Head of Healthcare should share his positive review of the
care Mr Williams received with relevant staff at Prescoed.
6. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Williams’ niece to explain the
investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She had
no questions but asked for a copy of the report.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Williams’
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
8. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS found some inaccuracies to the clinical review which have been addressed.
9. Mr Williams’ niece received a copy of the initial report. She did not make any
comments.
Adrian Usher April 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
The inquest, held on 7 June 2024, concluded that Mr Williams died from natural causes.
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