John Radford

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr John Radford
a prisoner at HMP Peterborough,
on 22 November 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
This report is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0. To view this licence,
visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
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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 18 March 2021, Mr John Radford was sentenced to 13 years in prison for
indecent assault. He died of heart failure on 14 November 2024, while a prisoner at
HMP Peterborough. This was caused by hypertension (high blood pressure), atrial
fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) and chronic kidney disease. He was 95 years old.
We offer our condolences to Mr Radford’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Radford’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr
Radford’s clinical care at HMP Peterborough.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Radford received at
Peterborough was of a high standard and was at least equivalent to that which he
could have expected to receive in the community. She found that healthcare staff
addressed Mr Radford’s health concerns and needs appropriately. The clinical
reviewer made recommendations which were not related to Mr Radford’s death but
which the Head of Healthcare will want to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Radford’s
care. We did not identify any non-clinical learning and we make no
recommendations.
8. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
9. Mr Radford’s family received a copy of the draft report. They pointed out one
factual inaccuracy. This report has been amended accordingly.
10. At an inquest held on 28 November 2024, the Coroner concluded that Mr Radford
died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher June 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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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
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE