👋We're leaving X. Make sure to follow us & share our work on ob Bluesky https://t.co/S82CBpqA2a

Our response to the government's progress on the Inquiry's Phase 2 recommendations.

In the wake of the FAI into the deaths of Katie Allan & William Lindsay, the Scottish government has just announced 1.The Scottish Prison Service will review its policy on items that can be used as ligatures, & the development of suicide prevention tech will be accelerated.

Positive response from Scottish Govt. Independent oversight & scrutiny of how this is translated into practice vital. Need to ensure processes are human rights compliant & enable bereaved people to uphold their rights & public authorities held to account.

Two Met police officers have been cleared of gross misconduct in relation to the restraint related death of Kevin Clarke in 2018. “There's something wrong with the system – the system is broken and it’s not fit for purpose. " - Tellecia, Kevin's sister https://t.co/1EN7zXpWmN

Liam Allan was 23 years old when he drowned in the River Thames following contact with the Metropolitan Police Service in 2022. An inquest has found police failures in the arrest and rescue attempts probably caused the death. https://t.co/dlUOOepZTt

Kevin Clarke died in 2018 following police restraint by the Met whilst experiencing a mental health crisis. Now 2 Met officers could be sacked for gross misconduct in connection to Kevin’s death. https://t.co/1DJ07gQVqe

1. Today has been the first time I have felt ready to go through the FAI determination in close detail. Sheriff Collins has written an exemplary determination and we sincerly thank him.

Damming report on deaths of Katie and William in Polmont prison made 25 recommendations. What purpose do these protracted processes serve if there’s no mechanism to monitor progress and action taken? Need independent oversight and accountability.

. @DebatINQUEST “said systemic change should involve a radical change in the investigation of deaths in custody, with more timely inquiries and access to legal aid for grieving families.” https://t.co/Oz8BIksI4X

Full of respect and admiration for these families who have fought for truth for 6 years. The emotional toll placed on them is often overlooked and how others bereaved after state violence and neglect feel their pain as they see deaths repeated and no accountability or change.

2/2 None of the scrutiny or critical findings would have been exposed but for the determination of the families over 6 years to see justice for their loved ones against a backdrop of secrecy, delay, and denial. They deserve a legacy of action, systemic change & accountability.

Katie’s brother, Scott, said of the prison system: “They didn’t just kill her, they destroyed her.” https://t.co/rJEu2uSGod

Katie Allan (21) and William Brown (16) both took their own lives at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Scotland in 2018. Today, a Fatal Accident Inquiry into both deaths concluded the deaths could have been avoided were it not for a “catalogue of failures” in the system.

There’s an evident gap in the system: it’s meant to prevent future deaths, achieve accountability & justice & truth for bereaved families, but the whole system stops after the inquest & before actions need to be taken. - Julia Waters, sister of Ruth Perry https://t.co/DWb2usbQo1

“PFDs just disappear into the ether. Without central oversight allowing the public to track progress on PFDs, the same failures recur and the preventative potential of inquests is undermined.” - @DebatINQUEST in @thetimes today https://t.co/4JCAXtAitb

.@HMIPrisonsnews latest inspection of HMP Manchester reveals the grim reality for the people inside: - little time out of cells - rat infestations - one of the highest rates of self-harm in men's prisons - 7 self-inflicted deaths since 2021 https://t.co/11rUEvpyKv

Marcus Meade, 39, was fatally shot by police on Christmas Eve in Redditch. The police had been called over concerns for his welfare. Now his family are fundraising for his funeral costs. Please share & donate if you can ⬇️ https://t.co/9UTVQQp3Mm

“High rates of self-harm and self-inflicted death, and being locked up for more than 22 hours a day in dirty vermin-infested cells, is the reality of life in Wandsworth prison." - @DebatINQUEST speaking to @thetimes https://t.co/VlK9lWUhDK

Marcus Meade, 39, was fatally shot by police on Christmas Eve in Redditch. The police had been called over concerns for his welfare. Now his family are fundraising for his funeral costs. Please share & donate if you can ⬇️ https://t.co/9UTVQQp3Mm