Peter Masterson

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Independent investigation into
the death of
Mr Peter Masterson,
a prisoner at HMP Wakefield,
on 3 February 2025
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, 2025
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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 July 2018, Mr Peter Masterson was remanded HMP Wormwood Scrubs charged
with sexual offences. In September 2018, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison
for rape. In March 2019, Mr Masterson was transferred to HMP Wakefield.
4. On 3 February 2025, Mr Masterson died of lung cancer at Wakefield. He was 64
years old. We offer our condolences to those who knew him.
5. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Masterson’s 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
Masterson’s clinical care at Wakefield.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Masterson received at
Wakefield was of a reasonable standard and equivalent to what he could have
expected to receive in the community. He found that Mr Masterson had care plans
in place for his long-term health conditions and had regular reviews. The clinical
reviewer made recommendations not related to Mr Masterson’s death that the Head
of Healthcare will wish to address.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Masterson’s
care.
9. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
10. At the inquest held on 21 February 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Masterson
died of natural causes.
11. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher
Prison and Probation Ombudsman June 2025
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