Mohammed Akhtar

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Mohammed
Akhtar, a prisoner at HMP
Stafford, on 6 August 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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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. In October 2023, Mr Mohammed Akhtar was sentenced to 11 years in prison for
sexual offences. He died of lung cancer on 6 August 2024, while a prisoner at HMP
Stafford. He was 54 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Akhtar’s family and
friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Akhtar’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 Akhtar’s
clinical care at HMP Stafford.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Akhtar received at Stafford
was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to
receive in the community. She found that he received compassionate care and
good pain management. She also commended the healthcare staff for their efforts
to persuade Mr Akhtar to comply with his medication and relocate to the specialist
care unit within Stafford for end of life care.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Akhtar’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. 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 Akhtar’s family received a copy of the draft report. They did not make any
comments.
Adrian Usher March 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
At the inquest held on 10 June 2025, the Coroner concluded that Mr Akhtar 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