Death in jail was ‘unavoidable’

A FATAL Accident Inquiry into the sudden death of a prisoner at Low Moss in Bishopbriggs has confirmed the incident could not have been prevented.

Richard Clow, from Alexandria, was found lying face down in his cell by a prison officer who was carrying out a numbers check at around 7am on April 3, 2015.

He was 50-years-old and was serving a four-year sentence after he was convicted on September 9, 2013, of two contraventions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The FAI ruling by Sheriff Linda M Ruxton, which was published yesterday, cited ischaemic heart disease as the main cause of death.

The FAI, which took place last August, was held because Mr Clow had died in custody.

The report, however, also states: “The family had expressed concerns about the certified cause of death and about apparent delays in medical treatment he had received in connection with recently diagnosed heart disease.”

The report stated: “It was clear Mr Clow could have died at any time and his death from cardiac causes would have not been unexpected.

“I am satisfied that Mr Clow suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. I found the circumstances in which Mr Clow was found in his cell to be indicative of sudden collapse.”

The FAI also found intoxication of the drug buprenorphine (Suboxone) and sleep apnoea should be noted as conditions presented which may have contributed to death.