Howard Davies

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Howard Davies,
a prisoner at HMP Parc,
on 10 June 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, 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 HM 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. Mr Howard Davies died in hospital of sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an
infection) and renal (kidney) failure, caused by bilateral lower lobe
bronchopneumonia (a chest infection) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD - a lung disease). He died on 10 June 2023, while a prisoner at HMP Parc.
Mr Davies was 84 years old. He also had chronic nephrosclerosis (changes of the
kidney caused by high blood pressure and ageing) which contributed to but did not
cause his death. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Davies’ family to explain the investigation
and to ask if she had any matters they wanted us to consider. They had no
questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) commissioned an independent clinical
reviewer to review Mr Davies’ clinical care at HMP Parc.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Davies received at Parc
was equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.
7. The clinical reviewer made four recommendations not directly related to Mr Davies’
death which the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Davies care.
We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
9. We shared the initial report with the Prison Service. There were four factual
inaccuracies in the clinical review which has been amended accordingly.
10. We shared the initial report with Mr Davies’ family. They did not respond.
11. The inquest hearing into the death of Mr Davies was held on 14 June 2024. It
confirmed that Mr Davies died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher January 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