Inquiry to look at Barlinnie drug policy after two inmates die within weeks

An inquiry is to be held into the death of two male prisoners who died in HMP Barlinnie within the same month.

Lee McKinsley, 35, was found dead in his cell on December 14, 2020, while Barry Watson, 42, was found dead in the morning of December 28. 

A Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held into both men’s deaths, as they were in the care of the state.

A preliminary hearing is due to take place on October 2 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.    

The inquiry will explore the circumstances of both deaths, with an anticipated focus on policies and procedures around drugs and the support provided to Mr McKinsley and Mr Watson by the Scottish Prison Service and the NHS.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said:   “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Lee McKinsley and Barry Watson occurred while in custody and as such Fatal Accident Inquiry are mandatory.

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

“An FAI will allow a full public airing of all the evidence at which families and other interested parties can be represented. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of judicial determination. 

“The families will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”   

The purpose of an FAI is not to attribute blame, but rather aims to determine the cause of death, its circumstances, and to establish if reasonable precautions could be taken to prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.