Martyn Woods

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Martyn Woods,
a prisoner at HMP Wymott,
on 29 September 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
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2026
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visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
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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 February 2018, Mr Martyn Woods was sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexual
offences. He died in hospital of empyema of the left hemithorax (a collection of pus
in the area between the lung and chest wall) on 29 September 2024, while a
prisoner at HMP Wymott. He was 79 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr
Woods’ family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Woods’ next of kin, his wife, to explain the
investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She
asked for a copy of the report and wanted to know why Mr Woods was admitted to
hospital. She also wanted reassurance that Mr Woods had received all the medical
care he needed. Her concerns have been addressed in the clinical review.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Woods’
clinical care at HMP Wymott.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Woods received at Wymott
was of a good standard and was equivalent to that which he could have expected to
receive in the community. She found that Mr Woods had the appropriate care plans
in place and his ongoing health concerns were addressed accordingly. The clinical
reviewer made one recommendation, which was not related to Mr Woods’ death but
which the Head of Healthcare will want to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Woods
care.
8. We did not identify any non-clinical learning and we make no recommendations.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
10. Mr Woods’ family received a copy of the draft report. They did not make any
comments.
11. At an inquest held on 9 January 2026, the Coroner concluded that Mr Woods died
of natural causes.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Adrian Usher April 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
2 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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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