The Scottish Government outlines six key reforms after the avoidable deaths of two teenagers in custody, aiming for systemic change.
Edinburgh: Last week, a report came out about the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay. It revealed that their deaths could have been prevented.
The inquiry was extensive, over 400 pages long, and it pointed out serious failures by both prison and healthcare staff. It was a real eye-opener.
Angela Constance, the cabinet secretary for justice, was visibly emotional as she spoke in Parliament. She promised to strengthen the community order system and emphasized that no one should die preventably in prison.
She acknowledged the families’ pain, stating they wanted action, not just condolences. Constance met with the families before her statement, expressing her deepest sympathies.
She made it clear that these deaths should never have happened while the state was responsible for their care. The report from Sheriff Collins was tough but necessary.
Constance accepted the findings that the deaths were preventable and highlighted the need for accountability. She committed to addressing the systemic failures identified in the report.
She also mentioned that Sheriff Collins made 25 recommendations, and she promised to tackle each one in detail. Constance laid out six specific actions the government plans to take.
First, the Scottish Prison Service will review its policies on items that can be used for self-harm. They’ll also speed up the development of suicide prevention technology.
Next, there will be a complete overhaul of the Talk To Me mental health framework, ensuring that all relevant documents are shared with prisons upon a person’s admission.
Another action involves extending death in custody reviews to all deaths, not just those that are particularly high-profile.
Constance also announced that legal aid for families involved in fatal accident inquiries will be made free and not means-tested, which is a big step forward.
She recognized that the five-year wait for an inquiry was too long and has commissioned a review of the FAI system to improve efficiency.
Lastly, she pledged to push for lifting crown immunity with the UK government and to enhance alternatives to custody. This is crucial for preventing future tragedies.
The families of Katie and William expressed cautious optimism. They feel there’s finally a chance for change after years of struggle.
They criticized the Scottish Prison Service for not acting sooner and highlighted the need for immediate reforms to prevent further loss of life.
They also welcomed the commitment to independent oversight of deaths in custody, but stressed that past failures should not be ignored.
The Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain, also acknowledged the need for a stronger investigative response to deaths in custody, emphasizing that more improvements are necessary.
Overall, this situation has sparked a significant conversation about accountability and reform in the Scottish justice system.
