Haifong Bian

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Haifong Bian,
a prisoner at HMP Oakwood,
on 6 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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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© 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. On 17 June 2022, Mr Haifong Bian was sentenced to 18 years in prison for sex
offences. He died from fulminant myocarditis (a sudden inflammation of the heart
tissue) on 6 December 2023, while a prisoner at HMP Oakwood. He was 46 years
old. We offer our condolences to Mr Bian’s family and friends.
4. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Bian’s
clinical care at HMP Oakwood.
5. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Bian received at HMP
Oakwood was of a good standard and at least equivalent to that which he could
have expected to receive in the community. He found that the emergency response
was fast and CPR was delivered immediately and appropriately. The clinical
reviewer made recommendations not related to Mr Bian’s death which the Head of
Healthcare will want to address.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Bian’s care.
As part of our investigation, we interviewed two members of staff and a prisoner.
We did not identify any significant non-clinical issues and make no
recommendations.
7. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
8. At an inquest held on 30 July 2024, the Coroner concluded that Mr Bian died of
natural causes.
Adrian Usher August 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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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