Youngster ‘petrified’ of other inmates the day before she died, mother says

mother of a 21-year-old who took her own life behind bars has told an inquiry how she seemed “petrified” of other inmates the day before her body was discovered.

Linda Allan, 56, told Falkirk Sheriff Court her daughter Katie also appeared “exhausted” after reporting being kept awake at night by other prisoners shouting abuse at her from neighbouring cells.

Mrs Allan was giving evidence on the second day of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) examining the circumstances of her daughter’s death and the death of 16-year-old William Brown, also known as William Lindsay, at Polmont young offenders institution in 2018.

Ms Allan, a student at Glasgow University, was found dead in her cell on June 4 as she was serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Mr Lindsay, who had been in care repeatedly, was found dead in his cell on October 7 – three days after being admitted as there was no space in a children’s secure unit.

He was remanded at Polmont despite having a history of making attempts on his life.

Mrs Allan told the inquiry she and her son Scott visited her daughter at Polmont on June 3, during which Ms Allan broke down in tears as she recounted her days in prison.

She said there had been a fight in the area where her daughter was being held and that other prisoners had been shouting derogatory comments at Ms Allan from their cells since then.

“She was petrified and exhausted as she hadn’t slept,” Mrs Allan said. “She told me she had asked to be moved to another cell.

“She didn’t feel safe. She was terrified of the unpredictabilithe ty of the environment she was in.”

Mrs Allan went on to recall how her daughter also appeared to be “frightened” of certain prison officers who were supervising her.

Katie was last seen alive by a prison officer as she watched TV, the inquiry heard on Monday, and said “Hi”, just after 8pm, before taking her own life.

She was found by a prison officer just before 6am on June 4.

The inquiry continues.