A 20-year-old's death in prison could have been prevented if reasonable precautions had been taken, a sheriff has determined. Jack McKenzie took his own life in Polmont Young Offenders Institution in September 2021. The inquiry found there was a realistic possibility his death could have been avoided if the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had replaced a door in his cell. The SPS and the Scottish government have apologised to his family for his death and committed to improving the conditions in prisons. Followinga fatal accident inquiry (FAI)last year, seven recommendations have been made in papers released by Sheriff Simon Collins. One of them is that two prison officers should have been disciplined for failure to carry out an adequate hatch check the morning Mr McKenzie died. Mr McKenzie died three years after two other young people took their own lives in the same jail. Katie Allan, 21, and 16-year-old William Brown - also known as William Lindsay - died in the institution in 2018. Their joint FAI heard that both inmates were vulnerable while at the facility near Falkirk and Sheriff Collins - who presided over both inquiries - made 25 recommendations including for the prison service to make definite and practical steps to make cells safer. Mr McKenzie was on remand in Polmont accused of rape and sexual assault charges - which he denied. On 1 September 2021 he had been due to attend court and thought there was a chance he could be released. During the day he became agitated and was assessed as being under the influence of an illegal substance. He was placed on observations and put into isolation where he was only released from his cell for about 20 minutes in a 24-hour period. The inquiry heard the drug etizolam had been passed into his cell in the early hours of 3 September and he had been shouting from the windows. A prison officer should have checked he was in his cell at 06:30. The officer looked through the hatch, did not see him but took no further action. At the next check, at about 07:30, the 20-year-old was found dead. He had taken his own life just hours after taking the etizolam. Sheriff Collins said it was well known within the SPS for at least three years prior to Jack's death that a door in his cell presented an obvious suicide risk. He said doing nothing was not a reasonable option. As with hisprevious determination, Sheriff Collins recommended that steps be taken to make cells safer. He also recommended that: 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 justice secretary confirmed the Scottish government would formally respond to the sheriff's report by 11 July. Ms Constance said: "Deaths from suicide in custody are as tragic as they are preventable, and Jack's death should not have happened whilst he was in the care of the state. "I have been clear that there needs to be systemic change and action at pace to ensure we prevent avoidable deaths in custody. "Work is well under way to put in place the necessary reforms to make our prisons safe and rehabilitative."
Young prisoner's death could have been prevented, sheriff rules
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Sheriff Determines Young Prisoner's Death Could Have Been Prevented"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The tragic death of 20-year-old Jack McKenzie in the Polmont Young Offenders Institution has been ruled preventable by Sheriff Simon Collins following a fatal accident inquiry (FAI). McKenzie took his own life in September 2021, and the inquiry revealed that his death could have been avoided if the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) had taken reasonable precautions, such as replacing a door in his cell that posed a significant suicide risk. Sheriff Collins highlighted that it was well known within the SPS for at least three years prior to McKenzie’s death that the door presented an obvious danger. He pointed out the failure of two prison officers to conduct adequate checks on the morning of McKenzie’s death, which contributed to the circumstances leading to the tragedy. In light of these findings, Sheriff Collins made several recommendations aimed at improving safety conditions in prisons, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This inquiry follows a concerning pattern of youth suicides at the facility, as McKenzie’s death came three years after two other young inmates, Katie Allan and William Brown, also took their lives while in custody. The inquiry into their deaths had already prompted 25 recommendations for the SPS, which were accepted, indicating a recognition of the systemic issues at play. Linda Allan, mother of Katie Allan, expressed her condolences to McKenzie’s family while criticizing the prison's unsafe environment, calling it unfit for purpose. Both the SPS and the Scottish government have offered apologies and acknowledged the failings that led to McKenzie’s death, with commitments to implement reforms aimed at enhancing safety and support for vulnerable young individuals in custody. The justice secretary has pledged that a formal response to the sheriff's report will be provided, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change to prevent such tragedies in the future.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights serious concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Jack McKenzie, a young prisoner in the Polmont Young Offenders Institution. The sheriff's inquiry reveals that his death could have been avoided, questioning the adequacy of the prison's safety measures and the actions of the staff on duty.
Public Perception and Emotional Response
This report aims to evoke a strong emotional response from the public by addressing the tragic loss of a young life in custody. It emphasizes systemic failures within the Scottish Prison Service and the need for accountability. By detailing the circumstances surrounding McKenzie’s death and comparing it with previous incidents, the article seeks to stir outrage and concern about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in the prison system.
Underlying Issues and Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the individual tragedy, it may also be hinting at broader issues within the criminal justice system in Scotland. It raises questions about the adequacy of mental health support for prisoners and the overall safety conditions in prisons. There could be a concern that such systemic issues are being overshadowed by the focus on individual cases, potentially diverting attention from larger reform needs.
Manipulation and Credibility
The article is credible in terms of presenting factual findings from an official inquiry; however, the emotional language and focus on tragic narratives may lead to a somewhat manipulative portrayal. The emphasis on the sheriff’s recommendations and the failures of specific prison officers could be seen as an attempt to assign blame, which can skew public opinion against individual staff members rather than addressing systemic reform.
Comparison with Other News
When compared to other reports of prison conditions or inmate deaths, this article aligns with a growing narrative that calls for reform in the justice system. There is a noticeable trend in news media increasingly highlighting the plight of inmates, particularly focusing on mental health and safety issues, suggesting a collective push towards greater scrutiny of prison conditions.
Societal Impact and Future Scenarios
The revelations from this inquiry may lead to increased public pressure on the Scottish government to reform prison policies. There is a potential for changes in legislation regarding inmate care, mental health support, and safety protocols. Enhanced scrutiny could also result in the allocation of more resources towards improving prison conditions.
Support from Communities
This article may resonate more with advocacy groups focused on criminal justice reform, mental health awareness, and human rights. Communities that prioritize social justice and the humane treatment of prisoners are likely to support the calls for change highlighted in the report.
Economic and Political Relevance
While the article is primarily focused on social issues, it may indirectly impact the economy if reforms lead to significant changes in funding for prisons or social services. Politically, this could influence upcoming elections or policy decisions, particularly if public sentiment sways towards demanding accountability and reform.
Global Context
The case underscores ongoing global discussions about prison reform, mental health, and the treatment of vulnerable populations within the justice system. It reflects a growing awareness and concern for human rights in correctional facilities, which is relevant in many countries facing similar challenges.
Artificial Intelligence Influence
It is unlikely that AI played a significant role in the writing of this article, as the content appears to be based on human inquiry findings. However, AI could have been used in data analysis or to identify trends in prison incidents, though this is not explicitly stated in the article.
In conclusion, while the article presents credible findings, it also employs emotional narratives that may lead to a manipulative interpretation of the facts. This could influence public opinion and drive calls for systemic reform.