Justice for Young Inmates: Families Demand Prosecution of Prison Staff
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the families of two young individuals who tragically took their lives while in custody at a Young Offenders’ Institute are demanding justice. Katie Allan, a 21-year-old student at Glasgow University, and William Lindsay, a 16-year-old who had a history of being in care, both succumbed to their deaths within months of each other at Polmont YOI in 2018. The grief-stricken parents of Katie Allan and the brother of William Lindsay are now calling for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to face criminal prosecution over the failures that led to these devastating losses.
Failures and Calls for Accountability
The families’ solicitor, Aamer Anwar, passionately argued that the SPS should lose its statutory immunity from prosecution, emphasizing that the staff responsible for the care of these vulnerable individuals should be held accountable under health and safety laws. The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) conducted by Sheriff SG Collins KC revealed a disturbing “catalogue of individual and collective failures by prison and healthcare staff” at Polmont, shedding light on the systemic issues that contributed to the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay.
Families’ Heart-Wrenching Testimonies
Linda, Katie Allan’s mother, bravely shared the harrowing details of her daughter’s ordeal at Polmont, painting a poignant picture of a young life lost in despair and suffering. She highlighted the lack of human rights upheld in their story, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and change within the prison system to prevent further tragedies like those of Katie and William. John Reilly, William Lindsay’s brother, poignantly expressed the profound impact of his brother’s death on their family, calling for tangible actions and real change instead of empty promises.
Call for Reform and Accountability
Aamer Anwar’s impassioned plea for justice resonates deeply with the families and advocates for reform within the UK Government. The families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay refuse to accept hollow apologies and empty words, demanding accountability and meaningful change to prevent future tragedies in correctional facilities. As the spotlight shines on the failures of the Scottish Prison Service, the call for removing crown immunity and ensuring transparency and accountability in the face of such heartbreaking losses grows louder and more urgent.