Roy Varley

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Roy Varley,
a prisoner at HMP Wakefield,
on 8 June 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, 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. On 11 June 2018, Mr Roy Varley was convicted of rape and fraud offences and was
sentenced to 22 years in prison.
4. Mr Varley died of malignant adenocarcinoma (cancer) of the rectum on 8 June
2024, while a prisoner at HMP Wakefield. He was 63 years old. We offer our
condolences to Mr Varley’s family and friends.
5. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Mr Varley’s sister to explain the investigation
and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She did not respond.
6. We shared the initial report with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS pointed out two factual inaccuracies and we have amended this report
accordingly.
7. NHS England commissioned two independent clinical reviewers to review Mr
Varley’s clinical care at Wakefield.
8. The clinical reviewers concluded that the clinical care Mr Varley received at
Wakefield was of a reasonable standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. They made four recommendations not
directly related to Mr Varley’s death that the Head of Healthcare will wish to
address. The clinical reviewers identified areas of good practice, including the
inclusion of Mr Varley’s palliative care consultant in monthly healthcare
multidisciplinary team meetings.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Varley’s
care.
10. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
Inquest
11. The inquest into Mr Varley’s death concluded on the 8 July 2024. The coroner
confirmed that Mr Varley died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher January 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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