Sidney Matthews

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Sidney Matthews,
a prisoner at HMP The Verne,
on 13 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 19 November 2024, Mr Sidney Matthews was sentenced to fourteen years in
prison for rape. He died from severe pneumonia on 13 April 2025, while a prisoner
at HMP The Verne. He was 90 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr
Matthews’ family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Matthews’ next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
did not respond to our letter.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Matthews’ clinical care at HMP The Verne. The clinical review is attached as Annex
1.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care that Mr Matthews received at
The Verne was of a good standard and was at least equivalent to that which he
could have expected to receive in the community. He found that HMP Exeter (his
previous prison) and The Verne managed Mr Matthews’ medical conditions
effectively.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Matthews’
care.
8. We did not identify any non-clinical learning and we make no recommendations.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
10. At an inquest held on 13 November 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Matthews’
died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher October 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