Families call for action ahead of inquiry into suicides at Polmont YOI

The families of two people who took their own lives in a young offenders institution have urged Scotland’s First Minister to take action as a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) begins into their deaths.

Katie Allan, 21, and William Lindsay, 16, were found dead in their cells in separate incidents at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in 2018, and their deaths will be investigated at the inquiry starting at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

In a statement to work to remove Crown immunity, which means the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is exempt from prosecution for the deaths; set up an independent body to investigate prison deaths; and impose a year’s limit for the start of an FAI.