Wayne Hodgson

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Wayne Hodgson,
on 5 July 2024, following his
release from HMYOI Wetherby
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, 2025
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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. Since 6 September 2021, the PPO has been investigating post-release deaths that
occur within 14 days of the person’s release from prison.
3. If my office is to best assist HMPPS in ensuring the standard of care received by
those within service remit is appropriate then our recommendations should be
focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially the case if there is evidence of
systemic process failures.
4. Mr Wayne Hodgson died of multiple traumatic injuries after a road traffic collision
on 5 July 2024, following his release from HMP Wetherby on 3 July. He was 18
years old. We offer our condolences to his friends and family.
5. Toxicology tests identified that Mr Hodgson had taken excessive pregabalin (which
he was not prescribed) in the time before his death, which may have impaired his
judgement when driving. He had a history of pregabalin misuse and was
appropriately referred to substance misuse services in prison. Although he attended
an initial care planning meeting, Mr Hodgson often chose not to engage with the
substance misuse service at Wetherby.
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The Investigation Process
6. We were informed of Mr Hodgson’s death on 8 July 2024.
7. The PPO investigator obtained copies of relevant extracts from Mr Hodgson’s
prison and probation records.
8. We informed HM Coroner for Durham of the investigation. She gave us the results
of the post-mortem examination. We have sent the Coroner a copy of this report.
9. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Mr Hodgson’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She did
not respond.
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Background Information
HMYOI Wetherby
10. HMYOI Wetherby is a young offender institution (YOI) in Yorkshire, for children and
young people aged 15-18.
Probation Service
11. The Probation Service work with all individuals over 18 years of age subject to
custodial and community sentences. (Children under 18 are managed by the local
Youth Offending Team.) During a person’s imprisonment, they oversee their
sentence plan to assist in rehabilitation, as well as prepare reports to advise the
Parole Board and have links with local partnerships to whom, where appropriate,
they refer people for resettlement services. Post-release, the Probation Service
supervise people throughout their licence period and post-sentence supervision.
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Key Events
12. On 5 January 2024, Mr Wayne Hodgson was sentenced to a nine-month detention
and training order (DTO) for theft. He arrived at HMYOI Wetherby that day. Mr
Hodgson had previously spent time in Wetherby for various offences. He had a
history of self-harm and was prescribed antipsychotic medication (quetiapine) as
well as an antidepressant (sertraline). Mr Hodgson had diagnoses of ADHD, PTSD
and schizophrenia. He had previously been assessed by local children and
adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), but his referral was closed in June
2023.
13. On arrival at Wetherby, Mr Hodgson told staff that he frequently misused pregabalin
(medication usually prescribed for epilepsy but which is commonly misused), which
he was not prescribed. He said that he had not used the drug for two days and did
not have any withdrawal symptoms.
14. On 11 January, Mr Hodgson completed a Young Persons Drug and Alcohol Support
Services (YPDASS) induction and engaged well with his care plan in regard to
substance misuse. During his time at Wetherby, Mr Hodgson’s engagement with
YPDASS was irregular and he chose to miss many sessions.
15. Mr Hodgson’s first weeks at Wetherby were mixed and staff made several entries
citing poor behaviour. By March, staff recorded that he was more settled and
highlighted his progress and positive attitude. In April, his behaviour became more
mixed and staff identified threatening or abusive behaviour.
16. In April 2024, Mr Hodgson experienced a deterioration in his mental health. He
described hearing voices, which he said was a result of losing the distraction of his
television. (Mr Hodgson lost access to in-cell television as a sanction following a
fight with another young person.) During this period, he set a cell fire and cut his
face, reportedly to distract himself from his distress. A GP at Wetherby increased
the dose of quetiapine, which Mr Hodgson said he found very helpful in reducing
intrusive thoughts and voices and in helping him settle at night.
17. On 21 June, Mr Hodgson and his mother attended a pre-release planning meeting
with his community offender manager (COM) and representatives from Handcrafted
(a local housing charity), social services and the Youth Offending Team. They
confirmed that Handcrafted would provide supported housing for Mr Hodgson on
release and that they would be able to help him with transport to meetings and
appointments. Mr Hodgson said that he was happy with these arrangements.
18. On 29 June, staff started suicide and self-harm monitoring procedures (known as
ACCT) due to Mr Hodgson setting his cell on fire. Mr Hodgson said that he did this
due to frustration and boredom. On 1 July, staff closed the ACCT procedures. Staff
noted that Mr Hodgson’s behaviour was unpredictable and could change in
seconds.
19. On 3 July, Mr Hodgson was released from prison. His quetiapine prescription was
continued on release and he was referred to the community mental health team.
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20. Following recent road traffic offences, Mr Hodgson’s licence conditions included
provision that he give his supervising officer the details of any vehicle that he
owned, hired or had regular use of.
Post Release
21. On 3 July, Mr Hodgson attended his post-release appointment with his COM. He
completed a probation contract agreement. Mr Hodgson highlighted a problem he
had had collecting his prescription from a local pharmacy, and she contacted the
community mental health team to make alternative arrangements.
Circumstances of Mr Hodgson’s death
22. On 5 July, Mr Hodgson was travelling on a motor scooter when he was involved in a
collision with a car, having swerved into the path of oncoming traffic.
Post-mortem report
23. The post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Hodgson died as a result of
multiple traumatic injuries. The pathologist noted that his injuries were consistent
with involvement in a road traffic accident involving his motor scooter and a car.
24. Toxicology showed that Mr Hodgson had taken pregabalin, cocaine and quetiapine
in the time before his death. The concentration of pregabalin detected was higher
than recreational or therapeutic use and the toxicologist commented that this
suggested it was taken in excess. They commented that the effects of excessive
pregabalin can include sedation, dizziness, nausea and impaired decision-making
skills, all of which can impair driving ability. The concentration of cocaine was
consistent with low recreational or non-recent use of the drug.
25. The toxicologist found that the concentration of quetiapine was consistent with
therapeutic use and was unlikely to have caused significant intoxication at the level
detected.
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Findings
26. Mr Hodgson died as a result of a road traffic accident. Although he had previously
been monitored under ACCT procedures in prison, and had a history of mental ill-
health, there is nothing to indicate that his actions were deliberate.
27. Toxicology tests identified that Mr Hodgson had used excessive pregabalin, which
he was not prescribed, in the time before he died. This may have impaired his
judgement at the time of his death. When he arrived at Wetherby, Mr Hodgson
spoke about a history of pregabalin misuse and was appropriately referred to the
local substance misuse support service. He attended an induction and care
planning session, but only intermittently engaged afterwards.
28. Mr Hodgson’s mother was able to attend a pre-release planning meeting at
Wetherby, which is an example of good practice.
29. The inquest into Mr Hodgson’s death concluded on 25 October 2024 and returned a
verdict of misadventure.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman July 2025
6 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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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
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