Sam Jones

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Sam Jones,
a prisoner at HMP Isle of Wight,
on 1 January 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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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2026
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
Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission
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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 February 2021, Mr Sam Jones (previously known as Mr Clive Andrews) was
sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for sexual offences. He died of severe
pneumonia (infection of the lungs) caused by longstanding chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD – a group of lung conditions which cause breathing
difficulties) on 1 January 2025 at HMP Isle of Wight. He was 63 years old. We offer
our condolences to Mr Jones’ family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Jones’ 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 Jones’
clinical care at Isle of Wight. The clinical reviewer’s report is attached as Annex 1.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Jones received at Isle of
Wight was equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the
community. She found that Mr Jones’ medical records contained evidence of good
individualised end of life care planning. She made no recommendations.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Jones’ 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 Jones’ next of kin received a copy of the draft report. They did not make any
comments.
10. This version of my report, published on my website, has been amended to remove
the names of staff and prisoners involved in my investigation.
Adrian Usher September 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
The inquest hearing was held on 18 February 2026. The Coroner concluded that Mr Jones
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