An inquest has been opened following the death of an 83-year-old prisoner at HMP Littlehey, near Huntingdon.
John Whitehead died at Hinchingbrooke Hospital on October 31, 2024.
David Heming, senior coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, opened an inquest into the death on Thursday (November 28).
At the brief hearing, held at Lawrence Court, Huntingdon, he said: “The deceased was a serving prisoner at the time of his death at HMP Littlehey.
“In those circumstances, it is mandatory to hold an inquest.”
Mr Heming explained the cause of death is currently unascertained and is pending the results of histology analysis.
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At the hearing, it was not revealed why Mr Whitehead was serving a prison sentence and where he originally came from.
However, HMP Littlehey is a Category C male prison and only holds those who have been convicted of sex offences.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) will also carry out an investigation which is a standard procedure for all prisoner deaths.
Mr Whitehead’s inquest was adjourned to April 3, 2025 for a possible pre-inquest review hearing.
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