HMP Ranby prisoner choked to death, inquest told, as inquiries continue

A Nottinghamshire prisoner died after choking, an inquest has been told. Daniel Swierczek died aged 39 at HMP Ranby, Retford, on May 17.

An inquest touching upon Mr Swierczek's death was opened at Nottingham Coroner's Court on Monday, November 11. Nathanael Hartley, assistant coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, told the short hearing that a post-mortem examination has been carried out and gave choking as a provisional cause of death.

Mr Hartley said: "In accordance to my statutory duty, I have now opened an inquest touching on Daniel's death and this hearing now stands adjourned for completion of further inquires and will be resumed for a final hearing on July 28, 2025. I wish to offer my sincere condolences to Daniel's family and friends in relation to their very sad loss."

The circumstances surrounding Mr Swierczek's death are currently unclear and will be established during the hearing on July 28. An investigation into the death is also conducted by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which normally publishes its findings following the conclusion of an inquest.

Around 1,050 prisoners live at HMP Ranby in a mixture of single and double cells across seven house blocks.