Tragic Polmont Custody Deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay ‘Could Have Been Prevented’
A recent Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of two young inmates at HMP Polmont has uncovered a series of failures by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and healthcare staff that could have prevented the tragic suicides of Katie Allan, 21, and William Lindsay, 16, in 2018. The inquiry revealed significant safety failings and systemic defects where crucial information was not communicated effectively, leading to the unfortunate deaths of both individuals.
Katie Allan, a student at Glasgow University, was serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She was found dead in her cell on June 4, while William Lindsay, also known as William Brown, was detained at Polmont after walking into a police station with a knife, under bail for another blade offense. William, who had a history of being in care, died on October 7, just two days after being remanded at the facility.
The inquiry highlighted various shortcomings, such as the failure to document previous self-harm incidents and bullying episodes, inadequate risk assessments, and a lack of communication between healthcare staff and prison officers. Katie endured bullying and distress during her time at the facility, while William, despite being identified as a high-risk individual, was taken off suicide watch shortly before his death.
Sheriff SG Collins KC, who led the inquiry, outlined 25 recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future, including the introduction of new measures such as a dedicated 24-hour telephone line for families to report concerns and improved information sharing between agencies. The Scottish Prison Service has pledged to carefully consider these recommendations and implement necessary changes to enhance safety measures at Polmont.
The devastating loss of Katie Allan and William Lindsay has prompted calls for urgent reforms within the justice system to prevent further deaths in custody. The families of the victims have endured a long and challenging process seeking justice and accountability for the failures that led to their loved ones’ untimely deaths. It is imperative that lessons are learned from this tragedy to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in custody.