Investigation into death of Preston prisoner found in his cell before transplant could take place

John Kenny, who had been remanded to the prison in November 2022 after being charged with harassment and assault, died in his cell aged 54 on March 18, 2023.

The background

At the initial healthcare screening on arrival at HMP Preston, staff identified Mr Kenny’s long term high blood pressure issues and and continued his medication for managing the symptoms. A week later, wing staff found him confused and walking into other prisoners’ cells. A mental health nurse assessed Mr Kenny and confirmed his confusion but could not identify a clear cause.

Leyland prisoner died of overdose in his cell

Mr Kenny moved to the healthcare unit for further observation, where tests showed he had not been taking his blood pressure medication as prescribed. Mr Kenny’s medication was removed from his possession, and he was asked to pick it up from healthcare in future, to manage the risk of missed doses. Further tests showed abnormal readings, and Mr Kenny was taken to hospital by an emergency ambulance for an urgent CT scan.

Five days later, on 8 December 2022, the hospital renal team took a biopsy of Mr Kenny’s kidney, later confirming a diagnosis of stage 5 chronic kidney disease due to uncontrolled high blood pressure. The healthcare team at HMP Preston monitored Mr Kenny closely, in between several stays in hospital and dialysis and a kidney transplant were organised.

Death

In February and March 2023, Mr Kenny attended hospital for dialysis treatment and a report states “in the main there were no concerns documented on return to prison.” On March 18, officers found Mr Kenny unresponsive in his room. They called an ambulance and began CPR before paramedics arrived. Attempts to revive Mr Kenny were unsuccessful and his death was pronounced at 10.07pm.

It was concluded that Mr Kenny died of heart disease and kidney failure.

Investigation conclusion

Prison and Probabation Obudsman officer Adrian Usher investigated the death. He stated: “The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Kenny received at Preston was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community. We found no non-clinical issues of concern.”