John Simpson

OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Independent investigation into
the death of Mr John Simpson,
a prisoner at HMP Altcourse,
on 17 December 2024
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 concern
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 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 May 2023, Mr John Simpson was sentenced to 18 years in prison for sex
offences. He died in hospital of lung cancer on 17 December 2024, while a prisoner
at HMP Altcourse. A spontaneous subdural haemorrhage (when bleeding occurs in
the area around the brain due to damage to the blood vessels) was listed as a
contributory factor. He was 76 years old. We offer our condolences to those who
knew him.
4. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Simpson’s clinical care at HMP Altcourse.
5. The clinical reviewer concluded that the care Mr Simpson received at Altcourse was
of a good standard and equivalent to that he would have received in the community.
He found that Mr Simpson’s medical records included evidence of end-of-life care
planning, and that healthcare interventions were thoroughly documented. He noted
that the palliative care link nurse and the community palliative care team regularly
monitored Mr Simpson. He also found that healthcare staff provided effective pain
management and support in the prison’s inpatient unit.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Simpson’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
7. At the inquest, held on 8 January 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Simpson
died from natural causes.
8. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher September 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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