Nottinghamshire Police launched an investigation after two inmates died at HMP Ranby in Nottinghamshire on Wednesday. Det Insp James Oakton said the force is working with the Prison Service to establish what happened at Ranby Prison.
Oakton said: "An investigation has been launched at HMP Ranby following the deaths of two prisoners on Wednesday." He added: "We are working closely with the prison service to establish the circumstances surrounding these deaths, and a thorough investigation is under way."
HMP Ranby and Nottinghamshire Police
The Ministry of Justice said the two men died at HMP Ranby, a Category C training and resettlement prison near Retford. The Prison Service said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate, and we will respond to its findings in due course."
That means two tracks are now running at once. Police are looking at the circumstances around the deaths, while the ombudsman will handle the deaths-in-custody process that follows prison fatalities.
February 2025 inspection
The prison was already under scrutiny before Wednesday. During the last full inspection in February 2025, HM Inspectorate of Prisons found 23% of prisoners at Ranby tested positive for drugs, and a quarter said they had developed a drug or alcohol habit while serving their sentence.
Inspectors also raised concerns about the condition of the prison. That backdrop gives the current investigation added weight, but it does not answer what caused the two deaths on Wednesday.
EMAS at HMP Ranby
East Midlands Ambulance Service said it attended HMP Ranby both yesterday and today. A spokesperson said: "I can confirm that both yesterday and today, EMAS attended HMP Ranby." The same spokesperson added: "As there is an ongoing investigation, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to comment further."
Oakton said the families of those involved are being supported, and that his thoughts are with them at this difficult time. For now, the open question is still the same one police are trying to answer: what caused the two deaths at HMP Ranby?
