A PRISONER died of natural causes after being moved to a hospice so he could be near his family at the end of his life.
Christopher Harper, 65, had been serving a two-year sentence at HMP Oakwood for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Originally from Wall Meadow, in Worcester, he had admitted to using the Tor browser to access the dark web in violation of the order, which was imposed by Worcester Crown Court in November 2013.
He had also previously confessed to making indecent images of a child between June 1 and July 1, 2021.
A court hearing in 2023 revealed that Mr Harper had made 35 category A images – the worst level identified within the sentencing guidelines – 64 at category B and 25 at category C.
He died from liver failure on August 9, 2024.
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A report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman describes the care he received in prison as “commendable”.
The document states: “Staff made considerable efforts facilitating a prison visit with Mr Harper’s family under exceptional circumstances, and authorised Mr Harper to move to a hospice near his family for end-of-life care.”
The ombudsman was in contact with Mr Harper’s wife, who requested the report and further information about his compassionate release in separate correspondence.
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The main cause of death was liver metastases, cancer that originated elsewhere and spread to the liver.
A clinical reviewer concluded that the standard of care provided at the Staffordshire prison was “very good” and equivalent to what he would have received in the community.
She noted that care planning exceeded her expectations and that arrangements had been made for his wife to accompany him during hospital visits.
The report said: “The compassion and support demonstrated by the care coordinator was commendable.”
Mr Harper was formally found to have died from natural causes at an inquest in November 2024.
The ombudsman’s report was published last week.
