The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has published its investigation into the death of Peter Lynch at HMP/YOI Moorland. Mr Lynch, 61, died on 19 October 2024 while serving a two-year and eight-month sentence after being convicted of violent disorder linked to rioting in Rotherham. [Justice Website Builder](https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/F7121-24-Death-of-Mr-Peter-Lynch-Moorland-19-10-2024-SI-61-70-61.pdf)
The report says Mr Lynch was initially remanded to HMP Doncaster before transferring to Moorland on 2 September 2024. He told staff he was upset and frustrated about his sentence and had anxiety and difficulty sleeping, but repeatedly denied thoughts of suicide or self-harm and said he felt supported by his family and other prisoners. [Justice Website Builder](https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/F7121-24-Death-of-Mr-Peter-Lynch-Moorland-19-10-2024-SI-61-70-61.pdf)
On 17 October he was placed on report over alleged threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour and was told the following evening about a disciplinary hearing. The Ombudsman said this might have been a trigger for his actions, but found no particular indication that his suicide risk had increased in the days before his death. [Justice Website Builder](https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/F7121-24-Death-of-Mr-Peter-Lynch-Moorland-19-10-2024-SI-61-70-61.pdf)
The investigation also identified a six-minute delay before staff entered his cell after he was found unresponsive. It said an emergency code was not initially used and some responding officers did not understand that they could enter a cell at night. The clinical reviewer found Mr Lynch's healthcare was appropriate, and the Ombudsman made no recommendations. [Justice Website Builder](https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/F7121-24-Death-of-Mr-Peter-Lynch-Moorland-19-10-2024-SI-61-70-61.pdf)
