Alan Hughes

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Alan Hughes,
a prisoner at HMP Risley,
on 6 January 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, 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. On 8 February 2017, Mr Alan Hughes was recalled to prison for breach of licence
conditions (following a previous Scottish courts sentence of eight years for assault
and robbery). He was remanded to HMP Durham for attempted kidnap and false
imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence.
4. On 28 April, Mr Hughes was sentenced to ten years in prison, reduced on appeal to
eight years with an extended five-year licence period. His conditional release date
was 20 April 2025.
5. On 6 May 2022, Mr Hughes was transferred to HMP Risley.
6. Mr Hughes died in hospital on 6 January 2025. His cause of death was heart failure
caused by ischaemic (reduced blood flow to heart) and hypertensive (high blood
pressure) heart disease, coronary artery atheroma (build-up of fatty deposits within
the coronary arteries) and hypertension. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and an old
cerebral infarction (stroke) were contributing factors. Mr Hughes was 67 years old.
We offer our condolences to his family and friends.
7. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Mr Hughes’ daughter to explain the
investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She did
not respond.
8. We shared the initial report with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies and their action plan is an additional
annex to this report.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Hughes’
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern.
10. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr
Hughes’ clinical care at HMP Risley.
11. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Hughes received at Risley
was partially equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the
community. She found that the care he received for his long-term health conditions,
including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart condition and kidney disease,
was of a good standard. She also identified good continuity of care from the
healthcare team, especially a primary care GP who was a good enabler in
supporting engagement with Mr Hughes’ medical care.
12. However, the clinical reviewer found that care around Mr Hughes’ regional bed
referral (for a bed in a prison healthcare inpatient facility) was not equivalent to that
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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which he could expect to receive in the community. Healthcare staff first referred Mr
Hughes for a regional bed in July 2024. This was not discussed further or escalated
until they made a second referral in December.
13. The clinical reviewer also found that a discharge plan following Mr Hughes’
discharge from hospital in December 2024 was not enacted. We make the following
recommendations:
The Head of Healthcare should ensure that there is a local process to
maintain oversight of regional bed referrals and any required escalation.
The Head of Healthcare should undertake an audit of hospital discharge plans
to ensure that the agreed plan has been enacted and develop an action plan
based on the findings.
Inquest
14. The inquest into Mr Hughes death concluded on the 15 July 2025. The coroner
confirmed that Mr Hughes died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher September 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
2 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
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE