A former prisoner at HMP Littlehey, near Huntingdon, died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in April 2020 after he tested positive for Covid-19.
A report into his death was published by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman in September 2024.
On February 15, 2019, Martin Oakman was sentenced to eight years in prison for sex offences and was sent to HMP Bedford. Less than one month later, he was moved to HMP Littlehey, a Category C male prison.
Mr Oakman has reported no health concerns and had no contact with healthcare professionals at HMP Littlehey until February 21, 2020, when he was seen by a prison GP after complaining of back problems that left him unable to move.
He was prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and pain relief as he had normal sensation in both his hands and feet and still had the ability to pass urine.
Three days later, Mr Oakman was taken to a healthcare unit in a wheelchair and needed assistance to stand. He still had back pain and a nurse noted a droop to the left side of his face.
He was taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital, unrestrained but accompanied by two prison officers, for a neurological assessment.
Mr Oakman then became unable to move his legs without assistance and had poor co-ordination. He was transferred to the critical care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital with a possible diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis.
On February 29, he tested positive for MSSA (Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus), which is a bacterial infection. He was placed on a ventilator but eventually stabilised and was removed from the ventilator.
On March 12 he was moved to a general ward where prison bed watch officers, wearing masks, observed him. Officers were later withdrawn to prevent and control the risks of infection.
On March 31, Mr Oakman's condition deteriorated and was deemed critical. On April 1 he tested positive for Covid-19. He was sedated, had fluid in both lungs, was ventilated and receiving life support.
At 3:30pm on April 5, Mr Oakman died. The cause of death provided by a hospital doctor said Mr Oakman died of a Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus due to a spinal epidural abscess (a collection of pus between the outer covering of the spinal cord and the bones of the spine).
He also had COVID-19, which did not cause but contributed to his death.
The report found that while Mr Oakman was in HMP Littlehey, he received a "good standard of care" that was equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.
The reviewer found that it was not known where or how Mr Oakman contracted the infection, but it was likely that he contracted Covid-19 in the hospital rather than at HMP Littlehey.
The inquest, heard on June 12, 2024, concluded that Mr Oakman died from natural causes.
Sue McAllister CB, who produced the report for the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, wrote: "I offer my condolences to Mr Oakman’s family and friends."
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