Emma Muirhead

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Independent investigation into
the death of Ms Emma
Muirhead, on 13 September
2024 following her release from
HMP Styal
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, 2026
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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. Since 6 September 2021, the PPO has investigated post-release deaths that occur
within 14 days of the person’s release from prison.
4. Ms Emma Muirhead died from multiple drug toxicity on 13 September 2024,
following her release from HMP Styal on 30 August 2024. She was 48 years old.
We offer our condolences to those who knew her.
5. Ms Muirhead had a long history of drug use and engaged with DART (Drug and
Alcohol Recovery Team) at HMP Styal. She was conscious that the continued drug
use was taking a toll on her both physically and mentally and she was eager to
engage with the drug and alcohol service in the community. We did not identify any
significant learning relating to the pre-release planning or post-release supervision.
6. We make no recommendations.
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The Investigation Process
7. HMPPS notified us of Ms Muirhead’s death on 13 September 2024.
8. The PPO investigator obtained copies of relevant extracts from Ms Muirhead’s
prison and probation records.
9. We informed HM Coroner for Warrington of the investigation. She gave us the
results of the post-mortem examination. We have sent the Coroner a copy of this
report.
10. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Ms Muirhead’s mother to explain the
investigation and to ask if she had any matters she wanted us to consider. She did
not have any questions but asked for a copy of our report.
11. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
12. Ms Muirhead’s family received a copy of the initial report. They did not make any
comments.
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Background Information
HMP Styal
13. HMP Styal is a closed prison which holds convicted and remanded female
prisoners. It is managed by HMPPS. Spectrum Community Health CIC provides
substance misuse services.
Probation Service
14. The Probation Service works with all individuals subject to custodial and community
sentences. During a person’s imprisonment, they oversee their sentence plan to
assist in rehabilitation, prepare reports to advise the Parole Board and have links
with local partnerships to which they refer people for resettlement services, where
appropriates. Post-release, the Probation Service supervises people throughout
their licence period and post-sentence supervision.
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Key Events
Background
15. On 11 October 2023, Ms Emma Muirhead was arrested for drug offences but was
released on police bail with bail conditions, which included a curfew and an electric
monitoring tag.
16. On 29 July 2024, Ms Muirhead was remanded to HMP Styal after she pleaded
guilty to charges of possession with intent to supply.
17. That day, a GP at the prison, completed Ms Muirhead’s initial health screen and a
urine sample tested positive for methadone, opiates, benzodiazepine and cocaine.
Ms Muirhead started a methadone detoxification programme.
18. On 31 July, a worker from the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Team (DART) completed
a triage assessment with Ms Muirhead. She said she used £100 of heroin and crack
cocaine every week. Ms Muirhead was diagnosed with crack lung (an acute
pulmonary syndrome caused by smoking crack cocaine) because she had used
crack cocaine from a young age.
Pre-release planning
19. On 13 August, a worker from DART visited Ms Muirhead to discuss her treatment
plan but Ms Muirhead asked her to come back after her court date which was
scheduled for 30 August. Ms Muirhead told her she planned to reduce her
methadone and move to a Buvidal injection (used to treat opiate dependence)
instead.
20. On 20 August, DART sent an alert to Change, Grow, Live, Manchester (CGL - a
drug and alcohol service) and requested an appointment in preparation for Ms
Muirhead’s court hearing and in case she was released directly from court.
21. On 22 August, CGL gave Ms Muirhead an appointment for 30 August. A worker
from the DART team provided Ms Muirhead with the appointment information along
with the contact details of a recovery co-ordinator at CGL in case she had any
delays being released from court. They also provided harm minimisation and
lowered tolerance information and advice. Ms Muirhead said that she had a good
understanding of this because she had engaged with the community drug and
alcohol team before. She declined a naloxone (reduces the effects of an opiate
overdose) kit and said that she had no plans to use drugs.
22. On 29 August, a worker from the DART team sent Ms Muirhead’s prescribing
information to CGL, Manchester, in preparation for her potential release.
23. On 30 August, Ms Muirhead was charged with possession of drugs with intent to
supply and sentenced to a two-year Suspended Sentence Order (SSO). She was
released from court that day. As part of her SSO, she received a 12-month Drug
Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR - structured treatment and regular drug testing).
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24. A worker from the DART team informed CGL that Ms Muirhead had been released
from court.
Post-release management
25. Ms Muirhead was given an initial appointment with her local probation office.
However, because she was released from court late, she arrived for her
appointment at 4.30pm, and it was too late for her Community Offender Manager
(COM) to see her. She gave Ms Muirhead another appointment for 9 September.
26. Ms Muirhead also missed her appointment with a worker at CGL. They agreed to
see her on 2 September, and Ms Muirhead attended and engaged well. Ms
Muirhead did not disclose whether she had been using any illicit drugs since her
release from court.
27. On 9 September, Ms Muirhead attended her initial appointment with her COM and
engaged well. They noted Ms Muirhead did not appear under the influence of drugs
and did not present with any signs of neglect. Ms Muirhead was given her next
appointment for 16 September.
28. CGL, informed her COM that Ms Muirhead had collected her methadone script on
12 September.
Circumstances of Ms Muirhead’s death
29. At 5.00am on 13 September, Ms Muirhead’s friend found her unresponsive and not
breathing on her bed. She called 999 and the paramedics arrived at 5.11am. They
reported Ms Muirhead was cold to touch and visible signs of rigor mortis were
present. At 5.15am, the paramedics confirmed that Ms Muirhead had died.
Post-mortem report
30. The post-mortem report concluded that Ms Muirhead died from multiple drug
toxicity. The toxicology report showed Ms Muirhead had methadone, morphine and
cocaine in her system at the time of her death.
Inquest
31. At the inquest held on 29 April 2025, the coroner concluded Ms Muirhead’s death
was drug-related.
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Findings
Substance misuse service
32. Ms Muirhead had a history of substance use. While she was in prison, she was
promptly referred to substance misuse services and was appropriately supported to
manage her substance use issues. The substance misuse team saw her regularly
and she was advised on harm minimisation and lowered tolerance levels.
33. The substance misuse service at Styal is responsible for identifying prisoners at risk
from opiate overdose. These prisoners should be offered a supply of naloxone upon
their release from prison, and they should be trained in its use. Ms Muirhead was
correctly identified and offered a naloxone kit, however she declined.
34. The substance misuse team ensured Ms Muirhead would receive support upon
release and appropriately referred her to the community drug and alcohol team. An
appointment was arranged for her, and her methadone prescription was sent to the
community pharmacy in preparation for her release. There was evidence of good
collaboration between the drug and alcohol service at Styal and CGL Manchester.
35. We are satisfied that both the prison and probation services did all they could to
manage the risks associated with her substance misuse.
36. We make no recommendations.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman December 2025
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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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