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The tragic deaths of young inmates at Scotland’s Polmont Young Offenders Institution have exposed significant systemic failures within the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and associated healthcare services. In 2018, Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16 (also known as William Lindsay), both took their own lives while incarcerated at Polmont. A subsequent Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) led by Sheriff Simon Collins KC concluded that these deaths were preventable and resulted from a “catalogue of failures” by both prison and healthcare staff. 
Katie Allan’s Case
Katie Allan, a geography student at the University of Glasgow, was serving a 16-month sentence for dangerous and drink driving following a hit-and-run incident. Despite her vulnerability and reports of severe bullying within the institution, multiple failures by prison and healthcare staff led to inadequate identification, recording, and sharing of information pertinent to her risk. Sheriff Collins noted that while her death appeared spontaneous, it could have been averted if her cell had been made safer—a measure that was both feasible and previously identified as necessary.
William Brown’s Case
William Brown, who had spent much of his life in the care system and had lived in 27 different placements, was remanded to Polmont after walking into a police station with a knife—a gesture described by a forensic psychiatrist as a “cry for help.” Despite a documented history of suicide attempts, he was removed from suicide watch shortly after his admission. Sheriff Collins found that his death resulted from numerous individual and collective failures by SPS and healthcare staff, emphasizing that reasonable precautions, such as maintaining observations and providing a safer cell environment, could have prevented his death.
Systemic Issues and Recommendations
The FAI highlighted systemic issues, including inadequate mental health assessments, poor communication among staff, and failure to implement known safety measures. Sheriff Collins made 25 recommendations to address these shortcomings, such as:
• Conducting an audit of cells and implementing an improvement program to enhance safety.
• Establishing a dedicated 24-hour telephone line for families to report concerns related to suicide risk, ensuring immediate action and proper documentation.
• Reviewing and enhancing training and guidance for SPS and healthcare staff on sharing information concerning young prisoners.
• Implementing a system for prompt review and action on mental health referrals within the prison.
• Providing further training to healthcare staff on the importance of accurate record-keeping.
• Ensuring all young inmates are placed under observation for a minimum of 72 hours following admission, with removal from observation only after a case conference decision.
Subsequent Incidents and Legislative Response
Despite these recommendations, concerns about the welfare of young inmates at Polmont persist. In July 2024, 17-year-old Jonathan Beadle died at the institution, reportedly taking his own life. This incident occurred a month after the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act, which mandates that individuals under 18 should be placed in secure accommodation rather than prison, received royal assent. However, the Act had not yet been enforced at the time of Jonathan’s death, prompting criticism from children’s rights advocates and calls for immediate implementation to prevent further tragedies. 
Conclusion
The deaths of Katie Allan and William Brown underscore critical deficiencies in Scotland’s approach to incarcerating vulnerable young individuals. The findings from the FAI and subsequent incidents highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of young offenders. Implementing the recommended measures and enforcing new legislation are essential steps toward preventing future tragedies and upholding the rights and dignity of young people in custody.
Attached is a News article regarding the systematic failures that led to young prisoners death in Scotland
https://www.channel4.com/news/systemic-failures-led-to-young-prisoners-deaths-in-scotland
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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