Fatal Accident Inquiry Begins into Deaths at Polmont Young Offenders Institution

A fatal accident inquiry is set to commence on Monday to investigate the tragic deaths of two individuals who took their own lives while in custody at Polmont Young Offenders Institution.

Katie Allan, a 21-year-old student at Glasgow University, and William Lindsay, a 16-year-old who had been in and out of care, were discovered dead in their cells in separate incidents at the institution in 2018. The three-week inquiry, which will take place at Falkirk Sheriff Court, aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar, representing the families, has called for Crown immunity to be lifted in order to hold the Scottish Prison Service accountable for identified failings under the Health and Safety Act. Anwar argues that this immunity, which prevents prosecution of organizations like the prison service, is inconsistent with the standards applied in police stations and mental health hospitals. The families have also urged First Minister Humza Yousaf to address this issue with the UK Government.

Mr. Lindsay’s family has experienced further tragedy since his death, with three close relatives passing away. Over the course of the past five years, there have been multiple changes in legal figureheads involved in the case, and the families feel that the Scottish Prison Service has operated behind a veil of secrecy, covering up systemic failures and preventable suicides.

The families have expressed their frustration with the delays in the proceedings, as they believe that the Scottish Prison Service and the health service should be held directly responsible for the deaths. Furthermore, they argue that the lifting of Crown immunity should be a priority for the Scottish Government in order to prevent further loss of life in prisons.

On October 7, 2018, William Lindsay tragically died, just three days after being admitted to Polmont Young Offenders Institution due to a lack of space in a children’s secure unit. Despite his history of attempting to take his own life, he was not provided with the necessary support. Katie Allan, on the other hand, was serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, to which she had pleaded guilty. She was found dead on June 4, 2018.

The families have also called for the responsibility for fatal accident inquiries (FAIs) to be removed from the Crown Office due to the delays experienced in this case. They argue that if the deaths had occurred in a private prison, police cell, or mental health hospital, it would have been possible to pursue criminal proceedings.

The Scottish Prison Service has acknowledged the devastating impact of any loss of life in their care and has emphasized the importance of the health and wellbeing of those in custody. They have also highlighted that given the impending inquiry, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have acknowledged that the families have endured a lengthy wait for these proceedings and have expressed their commitment to thoroughly investigating the deaths. They have assured that all the evidence will be presented in a public setting during the FAI, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Scottish Government has expressed its condolences to all families who have been bereaved by suicide in prisons and has stated that the outcome of the fatal accident inquiry will be carefully considered.