The LRB Podcast Deaths in Custody
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Feb 19, 2025 Dani Garavelli, a journalist for the Herald on Sunday, has been investigating the heartbreaking cases of Katie Allan and William Lindsay, who tragically died in Scottish prisons. She discusses the alarming suicide rates among young inmates, revealing a healthcare system that fails them. Garavelli highlights the systemic flaws in youth justice, advocating for urgent reforms. She also shares insights into the personal impact of these tragedies on families and the need for societal change to support mental health in custody.
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Katie Allan's Story
- Katie Allan, from a stable Glasgow suburb, was jailed for a drunk driving accident.
- While at Polmont, she experienced bullying, strip searches, and a recurrence of alopecia and eczema before her suicide.
William Lindsay's Story
- William Lindsay, with a troubled childhood and history of self-harm, was remanded to Polmont despite social workers' efforts.
- Placed on and then quickly removed from suicide watch, he died by suicide in his cell.
Preventable Deaths
- The sheriff's inquiry deemed both deaths preventable, citing systemic failures by the Scottish Prison Service and healthcare staff.
- Key failures included ignoring documented risks, inadequate mental health assessments, and the presence of ligature points.