Thomas Reay

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Thomas Reay,
a prisoner at HMP Holme House,
on 9 July 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, 2025
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visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
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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 September 2024, Mr Thomas Reay was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for
sexual offences. He died of bowel cancer on 9 July 2025, at HMP Holme House. He
was 67 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Reay’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Reay’s wife to explain the investigation and to
ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She did not respond.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Reay’s
clinical care at HMP Holme House.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Reay received at Holme
House was of a good standard and was equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. She found that the healthcare team
responded promptly and proactively to Mr Reay’s needs. She commended
healthcare staff for sitting with Mr Reay as he was dying.
7. A prisoner wrote to the PPO investigator praising healthcare staff at Holme House
who sat with and comforted Mr Reay at every opportunity. He also commended
prison staff who allowed Mr Reay’s fellow prisoners to sit with him to distract and
comfort him during his final days.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Reay’s care.
9. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
10. We shared our initial report with HMPPS and the prison’s healthcare provider,
Spectrum Community Health CIC. They found no factual inaccuracies
11. At the inquest, held on 10 December 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Reay
died from natural causes.
Adrian Usher December 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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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