Inquiry to be held into death of elderly Scots prisoner

An inquiry is to be held into the death of an elderly prisoner.

Archibald Hunter, a prisoner at HMP Barlinnie, died at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on June 14, 2024.

The 79-year-old had been admitted to the hospital days earlier after a deterioration in his health.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry will examine the circumstances of his death with a prelimary hearing due to be held on May 1 this year at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and establishing what steps, if any, 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 to apportion blame.

Lorraine Almond of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotland’s death investigation authority, said:  “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Archibald Hunter occurred whilst he was 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.”