A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) is set to be launched into the deaths of two prisoners, Alexander Drysdale and George Greenshields, who passed away from Covid-19 while in custody at HMP Perth. The Procurator Fiscal has filed a First Notice with the Sheriff Court to initiate the court proceedings for the joint FAI regarding the deaths of Drysdale, 65, and Greenshields, 68, who succumbed to the virus in May 2020 at HMP Perth.
Both inmates contracted the virus while in custody and unfortunately passed away in the hospital. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place on March 6 at Dundee Sheriff Court to further address this matter. The purpose of an FAI is to ascertain the cause of death, the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and to determine what preventative measures could have been taken to reduce the risk of similar deaths in the future. Unlike criminal trials, FAIs are conducted to establish factual information rather than assign blame.
The investigation into the deaths of Drysdale and Greenshields was carried out by the Covid Deaths Investigation Team within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, overseeing fatality inquiries for COPFS, stated that due to the circumstances being similar with both deaths attributed to Covid-19 contracted while in custody, a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. The lodging of the First Notice marks the commencement of the FAI proceedings under the Sheriff’s direction.
In summary, a joint Fatal Accident Inquiry has been initiated into the Covid-related deaths of two HMP Perth inmates, Alexander Drysdale and George Greenshields. The FAI aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding their deaths and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation is being conducted by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals in legal custody.