Families of Polmont Custody Death Youths Pledge Legal Action Against Prison Service for Accountability
In a bid for justice and answers surrounding the tragic deaths of 21-year-old Katie Allan and 16-year-old William Lindsay, who both took their own lives at the Polmont Young Offenders Institution in 2018, their families have decided to take civil action against the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). The heartbreaking incidents prompted a six-year-long struggle for truth and accountability, supported by investigative reports from the Sunday Mail that exposed systemic failures and alleged cover-ups within the prison.
Following a scathing Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) report that revealed a multitude of shortcomings on the part of the SPS and healthcare staff, the families feel compelled to pursue legal action. Despite the Crown Office acknowledging credible evidence for potential criminal charges, the families believe that deeper truths are being withheld under the guise of criminal immunity.
In emotional statements, Linda Allan, Katie’s mother, highlighted discrepancies in accounts leading up to her daughter’s death, indicating a potential cover-up. John Reilly, William’s brother, expressed the enduring pain caused by the lack of closure and accountability, vowing to continue the fight for justice. The families also seek to recover the costs incurred during their quest for truth and justice.
Sheriff Simon Collins’ FAI determination made 25 recommendations, pinpointing failures in information sharing regarding the youths’ mental health histories and self-harm tendencies. The sheriff underscored the need for regular cell checks to identify potential ligature points after it was revealed that both Katie and William had used objects within their cells to take their lives.
The families lamented the preventable nature of the tragedies, citing examples where simple measures could have saved their loved ones. They were deeply frustrated by the recurring failures in addressing safety concerns within the prison environment, despite repeated instances of self-harm and suicide attempts by inmates.
As the families gear up for legal action, their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, emphasized the importance of using civil proceedings to extract crucial information denied during the initial investigations. He vowed to pursue further action if any individuals were found to have been untruthful during the FAI, including potential perjury charges.
While the Scottish Prison Service expressed condolences and apologies following the FAI findings, the families remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability in the wake of unimaginable loss.