Ronnie Stewart

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Ronnie Stewart,
a prisoner at HMP Holme House,
on 9 December 2022
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 March 2008, Mr Ronnie Stewart was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence for
public protection for grievous bodily harm. He died of pulmonary aspergillosis (a
long-term lung condition caused by mould in the lungs) and acute
bronchopneumonia due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), at North
Tyneside General Hospital. He was 55 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr
Stewart’s family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Stewart’s daughter to explain the
investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. Mr
Stewart’s daughter had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Stewart’s clinical care at HMP Holme House.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Stewart received at HMP
Holme House was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. She found that Mr Stewart received a high
standard of healthcare at Holme House, including difficult conversations with Mr
Stewart regarding his illness that were handled compassionately.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Stewart’s
care.
8. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
9. Mr Stewart’s family received a copy of the initial report. They did not make any
comments.
10. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
11. The inquest into Mr Stewart’s death concluded on 27 June 2023 and returned a
verdict of natural causes.
Adrian Usher April 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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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