Robert Astley

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Robert Astley,
a prisoner at HMP Norwich,
on 27 December 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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© Crown copyright, 2025
This report is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0. To view this licence,
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 1983, Mr Robert Astley was sentenced to life imprisonment with a tariff (minimum
time he would spend in prison) of 20 years for murder. He died in hospital of sepsis
caused by a leg ulcer on 27 December 2023, while a prisoner at HMP Norwich. He
also had diabetes and chronic kidney disease which did not cause but contributed
to his death. He was 64 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Astley’s family
and friends.
4. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Astley’s
clinical care at HMP Norwich.
5. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Astley received at HMP
Norwich was of a satisfactory standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. The clinical reviewer recognised several
areas of good practice. She also made four recommendations, which did not impact
on her assessment of equivalence, that the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
6. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Astley’s sister to explain the investigation and
to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She had concerns relating
to Mr Astley’s healthcare at Norwich and asked for a copy of our report. Her
concerns have been addressed by the clinical reviewer.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Astley’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. Mr Astley’s family received a copy of the draft report. They did not make any
comments.
Good practice
10. The compassion demonstrated by the family liaison officer when Mr Astley’s
condition deteriorated and following his death was commendable. The family liaison
officer demonstrated efforts that went above and beyond what could be expected in
the support she offered to Mr Astley’s sister.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman August 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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At the inquest, held on 4 March 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Astley died from natural
causes.
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
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