Details of an expert group that will help drive reforms to
prevent avoidable deaths in custody have been announced.
Justice Secretary is leading the Ministerial
Accountability Board overseeing the implementation of actions to
address the recommendations of Sheriff Collins' Fatal Accident
Inquiry report into the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay
(also known as William Brown) at HMP & YOI Polmont. The first
meeting of the Board was held on Thursday (19 June).
Bringing a wealth of experience from third sector, legal,
operational, research and health backgrounds, the members of the
Board will provide support to mitigate challenges and ensure
action is delivered as quickly as possible. Engaging with
families will also be a central part of the Board's role, to
ensure lived experience is integral to reform.
The Board is an interim measure until the National Oversight
Mechanism – an independent national oversight body for all deaths
in custody, separate from the Government – is established over
the coming year. It will take on responsibility for overseeing
implementation of the FAI actions along with its other
responsibilities.
Ms Constance said:
“Action is already being taken to prevent avoidable deaths in
custody but it is essential that these reforms are driven at pace
to make lasting change.
“The members of the Ministerial Accountability Board are all
leaders in their fields and will bring invaluable expertise and
experience across a wide range of sectors to make sure the
promise of reform is delivered.
“Engaging with families will be a vital part of the Boards role
to ensure that lived experience remains central to the action
taken.”
Background
The Ministerial Accountability Board members are:
Sam Gluckstein, Head of the UK National Preventive Mechanism.
Sarah Armstrong, Professor of Criminology at University of
Glasgow, SCCJR researcher and co-author of ‘Nothing to See Here'.
Phil Wheatley, British prison officer, formerly the Director
General of the National Offender Management Service and before
that, the Director General of HM Prison Service.
Professor Nancy Loucks OBE, Chief Executive of Families Outside
and co-chair of the Independent Review into Deaths in Prison
Custody, Chair to the DiPC Family Reference Group.
Nicky Brown, Head of Service at Public Defence Solicitors office.
Dr Sarah Couper, Public Health Scotland, lead consultant for
mental health.
