John Evans

OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr John Evans,
a prisoner at HMP Stocken,
on 24 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
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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 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 12 December 2022, Mr John Evans was sentenced to 33 months in prison for
possession of class A drugs with the intent to supply. On 27 June 2023. he was
sentenced to a further nine months in prison for possession of class A drugs with
the intent to supply.
4. Mr Evans died of ischaemic heart disease on 24 November 2023, at HMP Stocken.
He was 50 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Evans’ family and friends.
5. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Evans’ next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
did not respond.
6. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Evans’
clinical care at HMP Stocken.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Evans received at Stocken
was of a good standard and equivalent to what he could have expected to receive
in the community. She made three recommendations which are not directly linked to
Mr Evans’ cause of death, but which the Head of Healthcare and GP Lead will wish
to address.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Evans’ care.
9. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
10. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher June 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
At the inquest held on 28 August 2024, the coroner concluded that Mr Evans died of
natural causes.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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