Susan Truscott

OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Ms Susan Truscott,
a prisoner at HMP Peterborough,
on 21 October 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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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2024
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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 November 2018, Ms Susan Truscott was sentenced to ten years imprisonment
for sexual offences. She died in hospital of COVID-19 pneumonia on 21 October
2023, while a prisoner at HMP Peterborough. She was 71 years old. We offer our
condolences to Ms Truscott’s family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Ms Truscott’s son to explain the investigation
and to ask if he had any matters he wanted us to consider. He did not respond to
our letter. However, he subsequently asked for a copy of our initial report via the
Coroner.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Ms
Truscott’s clinical care at Peterborough. He concluded that the clinical care Ms
Truscott received was of a satisfactory standard and equivalent to that which she
could have expected to receive in the community. He made no recommendations.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Ms Truscott’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
7. We shared our initial report with HMPPS. They found no factual inaccuracies.
8. We sent a copy of our initial report to Ms Truscott’s son. He did not notify us of any
factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher May 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
The inquest, held on 4 October 2024, concluded that Ms Truscott died of natural causes.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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