Brian Walters

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Brian Walters,
a prisoner at HMP Littlehey, on
27 October 2024
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2025
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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. 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.
3. On 27 July 2023, Mr Brian Walters was convicted of rape and sexual offences and
sentenced to eight years in prison.
4. Mr Walters died in hospital of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) caused by
coronary artery atherosclerosis (arteries become narrowed, making it difficult for
blood to flow through them) on 27 October 2024, while a prisoner at HMP Littlehey.
He was 68 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Walters’ family and friends.
5. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Walters’ brother to explain the investigation
and to ask if he had any matters he wanted us to consider. He did not respond.
6. We shared the initial report with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
7. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Walters’
clinical care at HMP Littlehey.
8. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Walters received at
Littlehey was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. She identified that healthcare staff
demonstrated good practice by completing a multifactorial falls risk assessment
completion as a preventative, rather than a reactive, measure. The clinical reviewer
made one recommendation not related to Mr Walters’ death that the Head of
Healthcare will wish to address.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Walters’
care.
10. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
Inquest
11. The inquest into Mr Walters’ death concluded on the 15 July 2025. The coroner
confirmed that Mr Walters died from natural causes.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman July 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE