Inquest into the Death of Jeffrey Lee STRETTLES

52y · Male·complications in association with advanced malignancy (hepatocellular carcinoma), end-stage liver disease (cirrhosis) and generalised sepsis in a man under medical palliative care

Jeffrey Lee Strettles, a 52-year-old prisoner, died from complications of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, end-stage cirrhosis, and generalised sepsis. He had contracted Hepatitis C in the late 1980s and was diagnosed with liver cancer in early 2017, treated with TACE and radiofrequency ablation. Despite multiple subsequent interventions (SIRT, antiviral therapy), his cancer progressed with metastases to lungs and adrenal gland, and he developed portal vein thrombosis and ascites. Medical care provided in prison and hospital was appropriate and comparable to community standard. The key deficiency identified was administrative: the Department of Justice failed to prepare a briefing note to the Minister when Strettles was classified as terminally ill (Stage 3), preventing consideration for compassionate release under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. This failure affected 44 eligible prisoners over a 2.5-year period due to an unfilled management position.