McArthur comments on young offender death inquiry

Responding to the fatal accident inquiry into the death by suicide of Jack Mackenzie at YOI Polmont which concluded that the prison service "closed ranks" and that failing to discipline prison officers after an inmate took his own life "condoned" bad practice, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

“Now that this inquiry is complete, the Scottish Government and the prison service must ensure that the sheriff’s recommendations are fully and properly implemented, including making cells safer and ensuring additional training for those officers who need it.

“More widely, we need to ensure that young people are only locked up if there is no other reasonable alternative.

"This will be an incredibly tough time for Jack's friends and family. We owe it to them to ensure that no more young people die in custody."