Peter Power

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Peter Power,
a prisoner at HMP Leyhill,
on 15 July 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, 2026
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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 13 January 2021, Mr Peter Power was sentenced to 6 years and 4 months in
prison for sex offences. On 12 April 2023, he was transferred to HMP Leyhill.
4. Mr Peter Power died of traumatic cerebral injuries (a brain injury), on 15 July 2023
at Stanshawes Care Home. He also had vascular dementia (a condition caused by
lack of blood that carries oxygen to the brain), ischaemic heart disease (a condition
caused by narrowed heart arteries) and cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) which
contributed to but did not cause his death. He was 83 years old. We offer our
condolences to Mr Power’s family and friends.
5. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Power’s brother to explain the
investigation and to ask if he had any matters he wanted us to consider. He did not
respond.
6. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Power’s
clinical care at HMP Leyhill.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Power received at Leyhill
was of a reasonable standard and was equivalent to that which he would have
received in the wider community. He found evidence of good communication
between prison staff, healthcare staff at the prison and hospital staff which took Mr
Power’s individual needs into account. He made no recommendations.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Power’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
Adrian Usher February 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
9. The inquest into Mr Power’s death finished on 5 May 2026. It concluded that Mr
Power 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