In 2018, within a few months of each other, Katie Allan and William Lindsay took their own lives at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Scotland. There have been nine suicides at Polmont since 2012 and the overall suicide rate in Scottish prisons is at a record high.
Katie's mum Linda believes many of these deaths were avoidable. She was told by the Crown Office that there were sufficient grounds for prosecuting the Scottish Prison Service for potential failures of duty of care to both Katie and William, but they couldn't proceed because, unlike the police, the NHS, or even a private prison, the prison service has immunity from prosecution.
With a Fatal Accident Inquiry about to open into Katie and William's deaths, Linda has little faith it will hold the prison accountable.
Dani Garavelli Presenter and Researcher Liza Greig Producer Elizabeth Clark Executive Producer
BBC Scotland Productions for BBC Radio 4
Poison: Episode 4 - The Russian Antidote
Poison: Episode 3 - How Do You Like Your Tea?
Poison: Episode 2 - A Pinch of Paranoia
Poison: Episode 1 - The Chuckling Pensioner
The Delirium Wards
The Nuclear Priesthood
Behind the Crime
Write Her Story
Genetics and the longer arm of the law
Trading Blows?
Breaking Through
Speak Up
China in Slogans
Waiting for the Van
My Cat, The Judge
Lost for Words
Return to the Homeless Hotel
Adults, Almost
A Sense of Music
Descendants: Episode One
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Global News Podcast
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins