John Thirling

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr John Thirling,
a prisoner at HMP Moorland,
on 3 February 2024
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
ThOiFrdFI CFIlAoLo -r ,F O1OF0RF SIPCUoIAuBLtLh IC C RoElLoEnAnSaEd e Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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© 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. In April 2022, Mr John Thirling was sentenced to 11 years and six months
imprisonment for sexual offences. He died of lung cancer on 3 February 2024, at
HMP Moorland. He was 78 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Thirling’s
family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office did not write to Mr Thirling’s next of kin because they did
not want to be contacted.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Thirling’s clinical care at HMP Moorland.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Thirling received at
Moorland was mostly equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in
the community. She found that after Mr Thirling was diagnosed with lung cancer
and his condition deteriorated, staff cared for him with compassion. She made two
recommendations about the management of Mr Thirling’s long-term conditions,
which are not directly related to his death but which the Head of Healthcare will
wish to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Thirling’s
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 did not find any factual inaccuracies.
9. At the inquest held on 5 September 2024 the coroner concluded that Mr Thirling
died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher September 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
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