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In a recent report, it was discovered that the number of deaths in Scottish prisons has increased significantly, with a 60% rise in the past year alone. The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) uncovered that 64 individuals passed away in jail in 2024, compared to 40 in the previous year. Over the span of a decade, the mortality rate has more than doubled and is now considered to be one of the highest in Europe. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) expressed that each death in custody is a heartbreaking event for all those who were connected to and supported the individual.
Of the deaths documented last year, 17 were identified as suicides or suspected suicides, 10 were linked to drug-related causes, 27 were attributed to health issues or incidents, one was classified as a homicide, and one was deemed as “other/accidental.” Eight deaths remained undetermined or under investigation. The Glasgow University team responsible for the report emphasized that the overall number of deaths in custody was the highest on record since 1995 when modern records were initiated, and most likely the highest ever. Professor Sarah Armstrong, who spearheaded the investigation, articulated that the sudden surge in deaths was truly exceptional and unprecedented.
The report also delved into the concerning trend of rising suicides in prisons since 2016, which may have peaked in the previous year. Professor Armstrong acknowledged the positive response from SPS following a report regarding the suicides of Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in 2018. However, she noted that there are systemic issues within Scottish prisons related to “organizational culture” that necessitate a departure from accepting the level of deaths as normal. Katie Allan’s mother, Linda, was listed as a co-author of the report and emphasized the need for independent and prompt investigations into all deaths that occur while individuals are under state care.
In examining the root causes of these tragic deaths, the report highlighted several factors such as poor air quality, limited healthcare access, prolonged periods of confinement in cells, and heightened isolation leading to a sense of hopelessness among inmates. The researchers identified a recurring pattern in prison deaths where cell checks were inadequately conducted, health concerns were dismissed as drug-seeking behavior, and indications of declining mental health were often overlooked. Professor Armstrong drew comparisons with international statistics, stating that Scotland’s death rates resembled those of countries like Azerbaijan and Moldova where documented cases of torture and corruption exist. She also questioned why there is immunity from prosecution for a single state organization like SPS, advocating for a shift towards accountability and transparency in addressing these issues
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