Polmont suicides are probed.. five years on

Heartbroken families of young pair welcome FA! but blast law that lets Prison Service avoid prosecution

- SARAH VESTY

THE deaths of two young people who took their lives while behind bars are set to be examined by a sheriff five years on. 

Katie Allan was just 21 when she died at Polmont Young Offenders Institution, near Falkirk, in June 2018 while serving a sentence for a driving offence.

William Lindsay was being held at the same jail when he died aged 16 in October 2018.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has now confirmed a joint fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the separate deaths will be held.

But the families of both have blasted the length of time it has taken for the hearing to be set – and the decision to give prosecution immunity to the Scottish Prison Service.

Katie’s parents, Linda and Stuart Allan, said: “This Sunday will be the fifth anniversary of our daughter’s death. We will spend the day reflecting on Katie’s life and all she meant to us.

“Katie’s life...meant nothing to the Scottish Prison Service, if it had she would not be dead.