Darren Ankers

OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Darren Ankers,
a prisoner at HMP Wymott,
on 18 August 2023
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, 2024
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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. Mr Darren Ankers died in hospital of pneumonia on 18 August 2023 while a prisoner
at HMP Wymott. He was 41 years old. I offer my condolences to Mr Ankers’ family
and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Ankers’ next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. Mr
Ankers’ next of kin asked about Mr Ankers’ clinical care, why there had been a
delay of a week and a half before Mr Ankers was sent to hospital after he had had a
fall and why he was not given sufficient pain relief. These concerns have been
addressed in the clinical review report which is annexed. They also had other
concerns which have been addressed in a separate letter.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Ankers’
clinical care at HMP Wymott. She concluded that the clinical care Mr Ankers
received at Wymott was of a good standard and equivalent to what he could have
expected to receive in the community. She found that the healthcare team made
appropriate assessments when required and transferred Mr Ankers to hospital for
further assessment and care when needed. She made no recommendations.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Ankers’
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
7. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman May 2024
At the inquest held on 22 October to 24 October 2024, the coroner concluded Mr Ankers
died of a combination of natural causes and an accident.
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