Report Highlights Failures in Care Leading to Suicides at Scottish Young Offender Institution

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A joint inquiry report has revealed that the avoidable suicides of Katie Allan, 20, and William Lindsay, 16, at the Polmont young offenders institution in Scotland in 2018 were the result of significant failures in care. The 419-page document, released by Sheriff Simon Collins KC, calls for urgent reforms, including the removal of Crown immunity for prisons.

Both families attended an emotional press conference following the report's publication, highlighting how prison staff had been warned of the vulnerabilities of both individuals. Allan's mother described her daughter's suffering and the lack of safety in her cell, noting that simple changes could have prevented her death. Similarly, Lindsay's brother recounted the neglect he faced, detailing how his brother was left isolated in his cell despite a history of self-harm.

The report makes 25 recommendations aimed at improving safety in prisons, including a need for safer cell designs and better communication among staff regarding inmates’ mental health needs. Deborah Coles, executive director of the charity Inquest, emphasized the necessity for systemic change in investigating deaths in custody and called for greater transparency. The Scottish Prison Service has stated it will carefully consider the recommendations.

The inquiry underscores a need for legal accountability, as families’ lawyers argue that the Scottish Crown Office previously indicated sufficient grounds to prosecute the prison service, yet Crown immunity has prevented legal action. The families are calling for an overhaul of how inquiries are conducted to ensure that recommendations are enforceable and effective in preventing future tragedies.

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