 Under her administration, Barker made sweeping reforms under a model humane reformatory focusing on education, guidance and rehabilitation.By the time of her appointment of assistant commissioner of prisons in 1935, Barker would work to reform women's prisons throughout England, Wales and Scotland based on her work at Aylesbury until her death in 1955.Barker was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1944 for her ""services in connection with the welfare of women and girls"".