Kenneth Barnes

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Kenneth
Barnes, a prisoner at HMP
Manchester, on 25 March 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. In October 2018, Mr Kenneth Barnes was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for
sexual offences.
4. Mr Barnes died of aspiration pneumonia (lung infection) and dysphagia (difficulty
swallowing) on 25 March 2024, while a prisoner at HMP Manchester. He was 85
years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Barnes’ family and friends.
5. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Mr Barnes’ family to explain the investigation
and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. We did not receive a
response.
6. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Barnes’
clinical care at HMP Manchester.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Barnes received at
Manchester was of a good standard and equivalent to what he could have expected
to receive in the community. The clinical reviewer made recommendations not
related to Mr Barnes’ death that the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
8. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Barnes’
care.
9. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
10. 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 September 2024
At the inquest held on 17 October 2024 the Coroner concluded that Mr Barnes died of
natural causes.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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