Death rate in Scotland's prisons among highest in Europe
The majority of deaths in prison were caused by a health condition, suicide or were drug-related, the report said.
READ MORE: Two people taken to hospital after man struck by car
The SCCJR found 244 people died in custody or under state control in 2024.
The majority of these – 138 – were among people detained on mental health grounds, 19 were after police contact, and a further three were in police custody.
The SCCJR said 16 young people died in care, three people died while detained in immigration centres, and one inpatient with learning disabilities died while living in hospital.
Professor Sarah Armstrong at the University of Glasgow, who led the SCCJR research team, said: 'Last year we reported there were 40 deaths in prisons in 2023, which has now surged to 64 in 2024.
'It is of real concern that the mortality rate in our prisons has more than doubled in the last decade and is now among the highest in Europe.
'When we looked at international comparators, our death rates are more like Azerbaijan and Moldova, where torture and corruption have been documented, than England and Wales.'
READ MORE: Busy road in Glasgow's West End has closed following crash
She said the increase 'could both be due to the challenging physical environment of prison and the regimes inside it'.
Professor Armstrong added: 'Poor air quality, access to healthcare, extended periods of time being locked in cells, and increased isolation from others can all cause poor health, exacerbate existing conditions and lead to a loss of hope.
'We also identified a recurring pattern in prison deaths with officers not completing cell checks adequately, health concerns of prisoners being treated by staff as drug-seeking behaviour and signs of poor or declining mental health not being acted upon.
'Despite the Scottish Prison Service's commitment to learn from each death in custody, it is worrying to see deaths occurring in similar circumstances year after year.'
READ MORE: Investigations 'ongoing' following late afternoon attack
She questioned whether the Scottish Government 'knows who or how many are dying in their care'.
Report co-author Linda Allan, whose daughter Katie Allan died in custody at Polmont Young Offenders Institution (YOI) in 2018, at the age of 21, called for greater transparency.
The Glasgow University honorary clinical associate professor said: 'More than four people including children and young people die every week in this country while they are under the care of the state and it is unacceptable that in many cases we will never know what their names were, how they lived their lives, what led to their death and what these organisations are doing to stop it from happening again.
'We need independent, timely investigations for every death that occurs while someone is in the care of the state.
'We need to see robust data gathered, for internal reviews to be made public to ensure transparency, and for families to be included at every stage of the process.
'A Scotland where these things don't happen is a Scotland that doesn't care.'
READ MORE: Seventh person arrested following 'damage' to golf course
Katie Allan, who was a student at Glasgow University, had been serving a sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving when she killed herself.
Within months, William Brown, also known as William Lindsay, 16, killed himself in Polmont while remanded there due to a lack of space in a children's secure unit.
William and Katie (Image: Newsquest) A fatal accident inquiry into their deaths found they 'might have been avoided', in a determination published earlier this year.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.
'We are determined to deliver systemic change, at pace, to how we support people in our care, in a way which will be enduring, transparent and impactful.'
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: 'Each year, thousands of people with a range of complex physical, mental and social issues have contact with police. It is therefore vital that any death following police contact is recorded and reviewed appropriately.
'This enables us to ensure that we did everything possible to safeguard that person. We have a duty of care in all public interactions, and we continually strive to improve how we serve our communities.
'We take the duty of care to people in police custody seriously and have rigorous procedures in place relating to the welfare of a person in custody.
'Police Scotland will notify the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) of any death in police custody, and will also notify COPFS and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) of any death following police contact where it is considered that police action was a contributable or causal factor, to allow independent assessment.'
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government misses key skin cancer quality targets
A total of 10 of 15 Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) were met in the last year, with persistent challenges in meeting targets related to pathology, imaging and systemic therapy, according to the latest Public Health Scotland data. The data also shows that the limited availability of pathology services and operating theatres in Scotland is causing delays in diagnosing and treating skin cancer. READ MORE: NHS 'dying before our eyes' as third of Scots go private NHS Scotland: 'neurological patients falling through cracks' NHS Scotland: Nearly £2 billion spent on temp nurses and midwives The quality performance indicator target 7 - which deals with pathology and theatre capacity - remains difficult to achieve, as regional reports highlight limited pathology service capacity and operating theatre availability as key barriers to meeting these standards. Performance on imaging scans for patients with melanoma has also declined and has fallen short of national targets. According to Public Health Scotland, this target worsened in 2023-2024 after some improvement in the previous year. The Scottish Conservatives have criticised the government for "shameful delays" to skin cancer treatment which puts "lives at risk". Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: 'Under the SNP, far too many patients are not being diagnosed and treated in time for skin cancer. 'We know that these shameful delays harm a patients chance of recovery and puts lives at risk. 'The SNP's failure to improve cancer services has led to a shortage of vital pathology support and operating theatre access, while performance on melanoma imaging scans continues to decline. 'With Scotland recently enjoying a heatwave and many people enjoying the sun, it was a timely reminder of the dangers of skin cancer — and the critical need for rapid, effective treatment. 'That's why the Scottish Conservatives have set out common-sense proposals to prioritise early detection, promote healthy lifestyles and guarantee cancer services will have the resources they need to support patients.' Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun and, in May, new data published by the charity Melanoma Focus showed 45% of Scottish people suffer from sunburn at least once every year. There are around 17,500 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year and it is the sixth most common cancer in Scotland. Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer because it has the highest mortality rate, and deaths from melanoma are projected to continue to rise. The Scottish Government are committing £14 million for NHS Health Boards to improve cancer waiting times and £21 million targeted towards imaging. Ministers have said this is in addition to an increase in funding to address pressures within chemotherapy services, reaching up to £10 million annually by 2027, with £6.6 million released in 2025/26. Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'Whilst we are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter 6 years ago, it is vital we do more to reduce cancer waiting times, especially for those cancers which are more aggressive. 'As we see an increasing number of eligible cancer referrals, that means we also see an increase in demand for diagnostics. That is why we have committed to a range of actions to tackle waits. This includes expanding to seven-day radiology services, increasing recruitment of staff, using mobile scanning units and reducing radiology backlogs so that 95% of referrals are seen within six weeks by March 2026."
Glasgow Times
13 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Scottish doctor Sir Kenneth Calman dies aged 83
Educated at the University of Glasgow, he was formerly the Chief Medical Officer of both Scotland, later, England. His daughter, the comedian Susan Calman, announced the news on social media. READ NEXT: This man went on a £10k housebreaking spree targeting Glasgow homes READ NEXT: Legends match to honour two players 'taken far too early' She wrote on Instagram: "My dad died earlier this week. This is a photo is him and my Mum on their wedding day 58 years ago. It's a horrific time but I'm lucky to have supportive family, friends and a wonderful partner to hold me up. "Thanks to the incredible staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow for treating him with such kindness and dignity and for the compassion they showed us. It made the bleakest of times more bearable. When he was conscious and alert I told him I loved him. "He said 'you're wonderful' and I said 'so are you'. Grief is so completely, overwhelmingly, physically painful, but as others have said such feelings are an indication of how loved he was, is and always will be." Sir Kenneth was elected Chancellor of the University of Glasgow in 2006, and famously led the Calman Commission which reviewed Scottish devolution. The commission recommended that the Scottish Parliament receive greater tax-raising powers and further devolution on things such as administration of elections, the national speed limit and new borrowing powers. He was vice-chancellor of Durham University from 1998 and 2006. Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, said: 'Our University community is deeply saddened by the death of Sir Kenneth Calman, who steered the University into an even stronger position through the developments he oversaw during an almost 10-year tenure. 'He left a tremendous legacy. Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family and friends." Former Durham University Chancellor (2005-2011), the author Bill Bryson, said: 'Kenneth Calman was a consummate Vice-Chancellor, indeed a consummate human being - wise, thoughtful, irrepressibly good-natured, deeply devoted to Durham and greatly admired by students and staff alike. 'Working beside him was an inspiration and a pleasure. I will miss him very much." Anne Galbraith, former Chair of University Council, said: 'I knew Ken slightly when he was Chief Medical Officer, so it was a great pleasure to get to know him better when I joined the Council of the University. 'His tenure included some major developments in the University, not least teaching medicine. 'Ken was always such good company, with an impish smile. He wore his learning and achievements lightly, and, for myself, he will always be remembered for his charm and unfailing good nature.'
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Walkers seriously injured after falling along West Highland Way
Loch Lomond Rescue Boat (LLRB) said it was paged by Police Scotland to reports of three persons on the West Highland Way who had fallen sustaining serious injuries and requiring immediate medical assistance. Once at the scene, the LLRB crew "began casualty care, assessing, treating, and managing two patients whilst the third left scene and didn't wish medical attention". LLRB added: "Both casualties had fallen from height landing on rocks, and due to the difficult location of these casualties, we requested assistance from Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) for extrication. READ MORE: "Two members of LLRB crew remained on scene with the casualties to continue treatment, whilst the boat returned to collect MRT colleagues. "With the assistance of Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team utilising rope techniques, we lowered and loaded the first patient onto the Rescue Boat and conveyed them to the waiting ambulance at Inveruglas. "We then returned to collect the remaining casualty and crew before again returning to Inveruglas to meet the second ambulance. Crew stood down at 20:30hrs and returned to base. "We wish both casualties a speedy recovery and would like to thank Arrochar Mountain Rescue team and Scottish ambulance colleagues for their assistance." Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team said: "Our team responded to an incident on the East side of Loch Lomond, where two walkers sustained injuries after falling down a steep drop along the West Highland Way. Both walkers were unable to continue their journey and required immediate assistance. "With help from the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, our team members were transported from Inveruglas to the casualties' location. First aid was administered on scene, and both individuals were stretchered to the boat before being transferred to waiting ambulances in Inveruglas. "A huge thank you to the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat crew, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service for their swift and invaluable support. We also wish both casualties a full and speedy recovery."
