AN inquiry into two deaths in custody that “should shame us all,” heard statements from the victims’ families today as it got under way at Falkirk sheriff court in Scotland.

The fatal accident inquiry  comes more than five years after two young people at Polmont Young Offenders’ Institution in Falkirk took their own lives in separate incidents, raising serious questions on the standard of care for vulnerable young people in custody.

Twenty-one year-old Kate Allan died “violated and crushed” just days before being eligible for release, while 16-year-old William Lindsay, who had previously attempted suicide on numerous occasions, died just four months later in the prison he was sent to due to a lack of a place in a children’s secure unit.

Their families, who addressed the inquiry today, are being represented by rights lawyer and activist Aamer Anwar.

On behalf of Mr Lindsay’s brother, John Reilly, Mr Anwar said: “He cannot imagine the fear that William, as a boy of 16, must have had going into Polmont.

“Polmont had a duty of care towards William and it was simply not observed. If it had been, then his brother would not be dead. 

“Before the [inquiry] process had begun John attended a meeting with the crown along with his mum. It seemed to him that Polmont could not afford to keep William alive, which is a horrible and distressing thought.”

Despite questions over process and duty of care, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is immune from prosecution, something the families have called to be ended.

Ms Allan’s parents, Linda and Stuart Allan, raised the issue once more in a statement read out by Mr Anwar.

They said: “The crown office has said that there was credible and reliable evidence to pursue a criminal prosecution against the SPS, but crown immunity prevents them from doing so. Katie’s parents believe that the SPS have no accountability for the avoidable deaths of young people.”

Deborah Coles of Inquest, a charity supporting families of those who die in state custody, said: “The deaths of Katie and William really should shame us all.

“They are a damning indictment of a society that imprisons children and young people in places that are incapable of keeping them safe.

“This fatal accident inquiry must serve as the wake-up call to the Scottish government to lift crown immunity and end the accountability gap.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with every family who has been bereaved by suicide in prisons.”