Fifth HMP Five Wells prisoner death of 2026 as man, 78, dies in hospital
A 78-year-old serving prisoner at HMP Five Wells has died in hospital, prompting an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO).
Derrick Johnson died at an outside hospital on August 15 while he was a serving prisoner at the Wellingborough jail.
His cause of death has not been disclosed and will be determined by the coroner.
He is the 15th prisoner to have died either while serving a sentence at HMP Five Wells, or shortly after being released, since the prison opened in February 2022.
Five of those deaths have occurred during the first eight months of 2026, while at least four of the overall 15 happened after prisoners had been released. The period immediately following release can leave former prisoners particularly vulnerable, with issues including insecure housing and a potential gap between leaving prison and having access to an income.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has now opened an investigation into Mr Johnson's death, as is standard following deaths in custody.
The independent organisation investigates such deaths to establish the circumstances and identify any lessons which can be learned.
An HMP Five Wells spokesperson said: “Mr Derrick Johnson died at an outside hospital on August 15 2026.
“As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and the cause of death is for the coroner to determine.”