A SOUTH Ockendon man with a long history of criminal convictions, many of them violent, died just days after being released from his final spell in prison on the floor of a flat of a woman he had just met.

An investigation into the death of 31-year-old Jason Patmore by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman concluded that prison and probation staff did all they could to prevent his fatal drug overdose, but they were always hampered by his lack of co-operation, violence and disregard of prison rules.

And he died on August 9, 2024 after failing to return to an approved residence which he had been sent to after his discharge from Chelmsford prison, which took place four days earlier.

Jason Patmore had an extensive history of criminal convictions, including a series of charges in 2018 which included theft, assault, drink and drug driving and assaulting police officers.

Mr Patmore died from a multiple drug overdose  four days after being moved to Penrose Drive, an approved residential premises (AP) in Lambeth, south west London, that supports and supervises 'high-risk' offenders as they return into the community after serving time in prison.

His death took place in Chelmsford after he broke the terms of his release by returning to Essex.

The report says that on 8 August, Mr Patmore travelled to Chelmsford where he met a woman who agreed to let him stay in her flat for the night. The next morning, the woman found Mr Patmore lying on the floor, unresponsive. She called the emergency services who attended and at 9.56am, and paramedics pronounced life extinct.

A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said Mr Patmore had a history of substance misuse and of complex, unpredictable behaviour.

He was offered the opportunity to engage with the substance misuse service at Chelmsford, but declined any help.

The report added he was released to Penrose Drive, which looks after up to 25 people in what was previously described as a probation and bail hostel, so probation staff could provide closer monitoring and support.

However, he spent only one night at the premises before failing to return. Probation staff recalled Mr Patmore to prison, and a warrant was issued for his arrest; however, he was found dead two days later at the flat in Chelmsford.

The post-mortem examination report concluded that Mr Patmore died from a multiple drug overdose of methadone, morphine and alcohol.

A statement from the ombudsman said: "We are satisfied that Mr Patmore's community offender manager (COM) took appropriate measures to address his substance misuse upon his release from prison.

"This included securing a space in an AP where Mr Patmore could be closely monitored, regularly drug tested and had access to additional support and guidance from AP staff.

"Additionally, Mr Patmore's COM added licence conditions to comply with any requirements relating to addressing his substance misuse issues.

"We are satisfied that both the prison and probation services did all they could to manage the risks associated with his substance misuse. We make no recommendations."

The full report into Mr Patmore's death can be found via this link.