Raymond Hodges

OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Raymond
Hodges a prisoner at HMP Usk,
on 24 February 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, 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. On 27 July 2017, Mr Raymond Hodges was sentenced to 26 years in prison for
sexual offences.
4. Mr Hodges died from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, on 24 February 2024,
while a prisoner at HMP Usk. He was 78 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr
Hodges’ family and friends.
5. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Hodges’ next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
6. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Hodges’
clinical care at HMP Usk.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Hodges received at Usk
was equivalent to what he could have expected to receive in the community. He
made one recommendation not directly linked to Mr Hodges’ cause of death which
the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Hodges’
care.
9. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
10. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
11. At the inquest held on 22 October 2024, the coroner concluded that Mr Raymond
Hodges died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher July 2024
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