Young prisoner's death could have been prevented, sheriff rules

 Sheriff determines that the young prisoner’s death may have been prevented.

In the sheriff’s view, if the necessary precautions had been taken, a 20-year-old may have survived in prison.Jack McKenzie ended his life in Polmont Young Offenders Institution on September 2021.The family of Liam was apologised to by the Scottish Prison Service which also committed to improve what is offered in prisons.One year after the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) was conducted, Sheriff Simon Collins published seven recommendations.It is believed by the sheriff that a 20-year-old’s death in prison could have been avoided had some caution been followed.Jack McKenzie committed suicide inside Polmont Young Offenders Institution in September of last year.The Scottish Prison Service is apologetic about his death and says it will try to make improvements in its establishments.Seven new recommendations have been introduced in papers released after a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) was held last year.After two young suicides at the jail three years earlier, Mr McKenzie died as well.Twenty-one-year-old Katie Allan and 16-year-old William Brown (also known as William Lindsay) died in the institution in 2018.Both had been considered at risk at the Falkirk facility and during his hearings, Sheriff Collins remarked on making 25 enquiries. advice that the corrections service should take concrete action to limit risks in the cells.

Mr McKenzie faced charges of rape and sexual assault in Polmont and claimed he was not responsible for them.Previously, he was scheduled to appear in court on 1 September and considered that there was a possibility he might be freed.Throughout the day, he was restless and thought to be on illegal drugs.He was confined to his room and allowed out for only a few minutes within a day.The testing found that herbal tea slippers were served to him in the early morning of 3 September and he shouted out from his cell.It was expected of the prison officer to ensure the prisoner was in his cell at 06:30.The officer checked the hatch, did not notice the kidnapped person and proceeded without delay.At the check at 07:30, the 20-year-old was found to have died.Only hours following ingesting etizolam was he found dead due to suicide.Sheriff Collins once again said that changes were needed to help ensure the safety of jail cells.He also advised that:To ensure all young prisoners are fine and safe close to shift’s end, a visual hatch check should be done one hour before the end of the night shift.A better review of policing activities in the nighttime will make it easier to control abusiveness, bullying and drug dealing.The safety and skill level of prisoners dealing with drug use should be improved.

The Scottish Prison Service previously accepted all 25 recommendations made by Sheriff Collins following Ms Allan and Mr Brown's deaths.Linda Allan, mother of Katie Allan and an honorary professor at the University of Glasgow, told BBC Scotland News: "Our deepest condolences go to Jack's family and friends and our thoughts are with them as they receive this determination."It is devastating to lose a child, a nephew, a brother, it is even more so to discover that state negligence contributed to their death."It is irrefutable that Polmont is not fit for purpose and it certainly is not the 'leading edge institution' it was claimed to be."It is dangerous and unsafe."She said it had taken the deaths of numerous young people, including her daughter, and years of campaigning at great personal cost to expose the toxic culture in the facility.She added: "We sincerely hope that the recent parliamentary commitments given are fulfilled at pace. Our gratitude is once again given to Sheriff Collins for his thorough and compassionate determination."A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences and apologies to the family of Jack McKenzie for his sad death and the failings identified in this report."We are grateful to Sheriff Collins for his recommendations, which we will fully consider as we continue to deliver systemic change, at pace, in a way which keeps young people in our care safe, during one of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of their lives."

The Scottish Prison Service had agreed with all 25 recommendations suggested by Sheriff Collins after learning of Ms Allan and Mr Brown’s deaths.Katie Allan’s mother and honorary professor Linda Allan expressed, “All our thoughts are with Jack’s family and friends after this announcement.”

It hurts a lot to lose children or brothers and it is even harder to discover that the state could have prevented their deaths.It is undoubtedly the case that Polmont fails to provide the purpose it was intended for and is not the outstanding facility that was claimed. The environment is not safe or secure.She claimed that only after losing many young people, including her daughter and working tirelessly over many years did she manage to uncover the hazards inside the facility.She further said: “It’s very important that the current parliamentary assurances are carried out without delay.” Again, we are grateful to Sheriff Collins for being attentive and thorough in his work.The spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: “Our deep sympathies go to the family of Jack McKenzie for his death and for the failings mentioned in the report.” We appreciate what Sheriff Collins has said and will use his feedback as we continue to work towards positive changes.