Inquiry launched after two HMP Perth prisoners died from Covid

A joint probe has been launched after two prisoners died from Covid while in custody.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) confirmed the death of Alex Drysdale, 65, and George Greenshields, 68, in 2020.

Both prisoners died in hospital after contracting the coronavirus while in legal custody within HMP Perth.  

The deaths were previously investigated by the Covid Deaths Investigation Team within COPFS.  

The deaths of four other inmates, which were confirmed a month before Drysdale and Grensheilds’ deaths, were also thought to be linked to Covid-19.

The Procurator Fiscal has lodged a First Notice with the Sheriff Court to commence the court process for a joint Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths.

A preliminary hearing will be held on March 6, 2025, at Dundee Sheriff Court. 

The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and establishing what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.     

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.   

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Alexander Drysdale and George Greenshields occurred in similar circumstances, both deaths being attributable to the Covid-19 virus contracted whilst in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.   

“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.”  