Families of Katie and William are calling for urgent prison reforms after their tragic deaths in custody
Katie, just 21, and William, only 16, both took their lives while at a young offenders’ institution in 2018. The inquiry revealed serious failures by prison staff.
Sheriff Collins, who led the inquiry, said their deaths could have been avoided. He pointed out many mistakes made by the prison and healthcare teams.
Katie was serving time for a serious driving offense. She was found dead in her cell in June. William, who had a troubled past, died in October after being admitted to the facility.
Both families are demanding justice. They believe the prison service should be held accountable. William’s mother fought hard for her son until she passed away in 2021.
At a press conference, Katie’s mom expressed a mix of emotions. She felt anger and relief but also deep grief. She said Katie lost hope in prison and felt bullied.
William’s brother shared his pain. He described his brother as a scared kid left alone for hours. The family has faced immense loss since 2018, with multiple tragedies hitting them hard.
Solicitor Aamer Anwar called the situation a “death sentence” for Katie and William. He urged for legal changes to hold prisons accountable.
Sheriff Collins made 25 recommendations to prevent future tragedies. However, the families fear these will be ignored. The Scottish Prison Service has apologized and promised to consider the recommendations.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance expressed her condolences to the families. She acknowledged the pain they’ve endured and the long wait for answers.
