Roy Darvill

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Roy Darvill,
a prisoner at HMP Isle of Wight,
on 11 March 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, 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. Mr Roy Darvill died of pneumonia, caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD - the term for a group of serious lung diseases), on 11 March 2023,
at HMP Isle of Wight. Heart disease and complications due to diabetes also
contributed to Mr Darvill’s death. He was 85 years old and had been frail and unwell
for a long time. We offer our condolences to Mr Darvill’s family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Darvill’s next of kin, his wife, to explain
the investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She
did not respond.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Darvill’s
clinical care at the Isle of Wight. She concluded that the clinical care that Mr Darvill
received at the Isle of Wight was of a good standard and was equivalent to that
which he could have expected to receive in the community. The clinical reviewer
made one recommendation not related to Mr Darvill’s death which the Head of
Healthcare will wish to address.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Darvill’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
7. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS found no factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher January 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
8. Mr Darvill’s inquest ended on 23 October 2025 and concluded that he died of
natural causes.
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