A new Ministerial Accountability Board will be established to
drive reforms at pace to prevent avoidable deaths in custody.
Led by Justice Secretary , the Board will oversee
the implementation of actions to address the 25 recommendations
identified in Sheriff Collins' Fatal Accident Inquiry (January
2025) concerning the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William
Lindsay (also known as William Brown).
The Board will track progress, while also identifying delivery
risks, and providing support to mitigate challenges to ensure
reform is delivered as quickly as possible. Additionally, the
Board will hold justice partners to account and facilitate
regular updates for stakeholders and families.
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:
“We have accepted there needs to be change and action has already
started to prevent avoidable deaths in custody. It is vitally
important that this action is being driven to delivering lasting
change and to ensure full accountability every step of the way.
That is why I will lead a Ministerial Board to ensure that
Sheriff Collins' FAI determination recommendations regarding the
tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay are being
delivered at pace.
“The Board will drive reform until the National Oversight
Mechanism is established. It will provide accountability,
transparency and drive systemic improvement, informed by evidence
and analysis. Loss of liberty should not mean the loss of
humanity, and every individual deprived of their liberty must be
treated with dignity and respect.”
Background
Membership of the Ministerial Accountability Board is currently
being finalised, and the Board will include a direct and ongoing
link to families through its representation. Its inaugural
meeting is expected next month.
Justice Secretary
statement to Scottish Parliament setting out actions being
taken to address Sheriff Collins' recommendations.
Work is already underway with measures being implemented, which
include:
- The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has initiated a dedicated
operational taskforce, chaired by the SPS Chief Executive, and
involving NHS partners, to ensure all of the recommendations are
actioned.
- His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland will
provide the Justice Secretary with an initial progress report
following inspection of action already taken to implement Sheriff
Collins' FAI recommendations by the summer.
- The Scottish Prison Service is overhauling its Suicide
Prevention Strategy ‘Talk to Me' across the prison estate. The
strategy will be published at the end of this year, with a full
training package to be rolled out in 2026.
- In consultation with the Lord Advocate, an independent review
of the FAI system has been commissioned to focus on improving the
efficiency, effectiveness, and trauma-informed nature of
investigations into deaths in prison custody. The appointment of
a Chair is expected to be announced shortly.
- Close family members involved in deaths in custody FAIs now
have access to non-means-tested legal aid and additional support
services for families through a new family advocacy role is being
developed. This will ensure that families have independent trauma
informed support and guidance following the death of their loved
one.
