Anthony Payne

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Anthony Payne,
on 8 April 2024 following his
release from HMP Forest Bank
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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© Crown copyright, 2025
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2 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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1. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman aims to make a significant contribution to
safer, fairer custody and community supervision. One of the most important ways in
which we work towards that aim is by carrying out independent investigations into
deaths, due to any cause, of prisoners, young people in detention, residents of
approved premises and detainees in immigration centres.
2. Since 6 September 2021, the PPO has investigated post-release deaths that occur
within 14 days of the person’s release from prison.
3. If my office is to best assist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in
ensuring the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate,
our recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially
the case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
4. In December 2023, Mr Anthony Payne was sentenced to six months imprisonment
for failing to comply with sex offender police registration requirements. He was
released on 29 February 2024, but failed to comply with his licence conditions. He
was recalled to HMP Forest Bank on 7 March and released again on 2 April. Mr
Payne failed to attend his mandatory appointment with probation on the day of his
release, so his licence was revoked again and there was a warrant outstanding for
his arrest when he died.
5. On 3 April, a member of the public found Mr Payne and his partner at the bottom of
some communal stairs they had fallen down. Paramedics took them both to
hospital. Mr Payne did not recover consciousness and died on 8 April. A post-
mortem concluded that Mr Payne died from head injuries. At an inquest into Mr
Payne’s death on 28 November 2024, the Coroner concluded that Mr Payne had
fallen as a result of being intoxicated with alcohol and had died by accident.
6. Mr Payne was 66 years old when he died. We offer our condolences to Mr Payne’s
family and friends.
7. The Ombudsman’s office spoke to Mr Payne’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if he had any matters he wanted us to consider. He asked
several questions which will be addressed in separate correspondence.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the pre-release planning and post-release
supervision of Mr Payne. We did not find any issues of concern related to either
aspect of his management. We make no recommendations.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
10. Mr Payne’s next of kin received a copy of the draft report. He did not make any
comments.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman March 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 3
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Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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