The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has formally accepted all recommendations issued after the suicides of two young inmates at Polmont Young Offenders Institution, committing to sweeping reforms aimed at preventing further tragedies. The decision follows a damning fatal accident inquiry (FAI) that identified systemic failures in handling vulnerable prisoners.
Tragedy and Accountability
Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, also known as William Lindsay, took their own lives in 2018 while in custody at the Polmont facility near Falkirk. The inquiry, led by Sheriff Simon Collins KC, found that their deaths could have been avoided if proper precautions had been in place.
Sheriff Collins outlined 25 recommendations, citing significant shortcomings in the care and oversight of young prisoners. His findings emphasized that the Scottish Prison Service and healthcare providers had not taken reasonable steps to mitigate suicide risks. Years after their deaths, families of the victims had continued to push for accountability and systemic changes.
System Overhaul: Promised Changes
In response to the FAI, the SPS committed to implementing urgent and long-term changes to prison safety protocols. Key measures include:
- Overhauling suicide prevention policies: The existing “Talk To Me” strategy is being revised based on expert recommendations.
- Increased support during initial custody period: Young inmates will receive additional supervision and mental health assessments in the first 72 hours of incarceration.
- Elimination of safety hazards: Bunk beds and rectangular doorstops—both identified as potential ligature points—have been removed from rooms at Polmont.
- New reporting channels: A “concern line” has been introduced in all prisons, allowing friends, family, and support groups to directly notify prison staff about at-risk individuals.
- Comprehensive safety audits: A specialized tool kit will be deployed at Polmont this summer to assess all cells for ligature risks, with plans for a nationwide rollout.
The SPS emphasized that some of these reforms were already in place, while others were in progress, with assurances that these actions would lead to “enduring, impactful, and lifesaving” results.
Government Response and Future Commitments
The Scottish government acknowledged the profound impact of these deaths, emphasizing the necessity of meaningful action. A statement from officials underscored a commitment to strengthening mental health support, equipping staff with suicide prevention training, and fostering an environment where inmates feel supported.
Aamer Anwar, legal representative for the Allan and Brown families, criticized the SPS’s response as long overdue. He accused prison officials of “gaslighting” families, denying accountability for years, and failing to act until external pressure forced their hand.
“For over six years they denied the truth, lied, and conducted a whitewash. The fact is some should be facing criminal prosecution, but while Crown Immunity remains, they will continue to evade responsibility,” Anwar stated.
Lingering Concerns and Calls for Justice
Despite these commitments, skepticism remains. The families of Katie Allan and William Brown argue that apologies and policy changes are insufficient without concrete accountability. They have called for wider legal reforms to remove Crown Immunity, which currently shields prison officials from prosecution.
For now, all eyes are on the SPS to deliver on its promises. Whether these reforms will lead to a tangible decline in prison suicides remains to be seen.
