Families of two young prison death victims will meet with John Swinney to discuss their tragic cases and seek justice for their loved ones
Glasgow: Families are heartbroken after losing two young people in prison. They’re meeting with First Minister John Swinney to talk about what happened.
A sheriff recently said the Scottish Prison Service could have prevented these tragedies. Katie Allan, just 21, died in June 2018 while serving time for a drink-driving incident.
William Brown, only 16, had a history of suicide attempts. He was found dead in his cell just days after being sent to Polmont due to a lack of space in a secure unit.
The families’ lawyer, Aamer Anwar, shared how Katie was close to being released but couldn’t handle the stress and bullying she faced. It’s heartbreaking.
William’s situation was equally tragic. Despite his known risks, he was placed in Polmont. His cries for help went unheard, leading to his death.
Tomorrow, they’ll meet with Swinney and Justice Secretary Angela Constance at the Scottish Parliament. They hope to get answers and push for changes.
After the meeting, Constance plans to update Parliament on what’s being done to improve prison conditions. The families deserve to know that something will change.
At a recent press conference, Anwar said these young people were given a “death sentence.” He believes some people should face criminal charges for their roles.
A Scottish Government spokesperson mentioned that the meeting is a step towards addressing these serious issues. It’s a chance for the families to be heard.
