Robert Dearden

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Robert Dearden,
a prisoner at HMP Rye Hill,
on 25 April 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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© 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 14 November 2019, Mr Robert Dearden was sentenced to 14 years in prison for
sexual offences. He died in hospital of decompensated alcoholic liver disease on 25
April 2025, while a prisoner at HMP Rye Hill. He was 73 years old. We offer our
condolences to Mr Dearden’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Dearden’s 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.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr
Dearden’s clinical care at HMP Rye Hill.
6. The PPO investigator and the clinical reviewer jointly interviewed the Deputy Head
of Healthcare by video conference on 20 June 2025.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Dearden received at Rye
Hill was of a good standard and least equivalent to what he could have expected to
receive in the community. She found that Mr Dearden’s medical records contained
evidence of excellent individualised end of life care planning. The clinical reviewer
made recommendations not related to Mr Dearden’s death that the Head of
Healthcare will wish to address.
8. Mr Olowu investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Dearden’s care. We did
not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
Good practice
9. We found documented evidence that prison officers held regular key work sessions
with Mr Dearden during which they consistently discussed his health.
10. The initial report was shared with the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
and healthcare. HMPPS and Practice Plus Group did not find any factual
inaccuracies.
11. At the inquest held on 19 December 2025, the coroner concluded that Mr Robert
Dearden died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman October 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