Stephen Currington

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Stephen
Currington, a prisoner at HMP
High Down, on 24 May 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, 2024
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Summary
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 Stephen Currington died of congestive cardiac failure (when the heart is unable
to pump blood around the body efficiently) on 24 May 2023, while a prisoner at
HMP High Down. He was 68 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr
Currington’s family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Currington’s 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
Currington’s clinical care at HMP High Down.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Currington received at High
Down was partially equivalent to what he could have expected to receive in the
community. She found that Mr Currington was not referred to Tissue Viability
Services for wound care management in line with Central and Northwest London
(CNWL) policy for ‘lower limb and leg ulcer management (2019)’ as he should have
been. The clinical reviewer made recommendations not related to Mr Currington’s
death that the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Currington’s
care. We found no non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
8. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS pointed out some factual inaccuracies, and this report has been amended
accordingly.
9. At the inquest held on 19 March 2024, the coroner concluded that Mr Currington
died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher April 2024
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