Family of Death-in-Custody Victim Slams Scottish Prison Chiefs for Halting Pain-Free Restraint Techniques

Strategic Insights -

The family of Allan Marshall, a 30-year-old who died in custody after being brutally restrained by prison officers, has expressed outrage over the Scottish Prison Service's decision to halt the roll-out of "pain-free" restraint techniques across all jails. Allan's aunt, Sharon MacFadyen, said that the prison service has a duty of care to both staff and prisoners, and that the pilot program, which reduced violent incidents and floor restraints, should be implemented as a priority. The SPS had piloted the non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques in three jails last year, but due to overcrowding and a lack of resources, the roll-out has been derailed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Allan Marshall, a 30-year-old, died in custody in 2015 after being restrained by 17 prison officers at HMP Edinburgh.
  • The Scottish Prison Service had piloted "non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques" in three jails, but the roll-out has been halted due to overcrowding and a lack of resources.
  • The pilot program had successfully reduced "violent incidents and floor restraints across all pilot sites".
  • Allan's aunt, Sharon MacFadyen, has called on the SPS to implement the pain-free restraint techniques as a priority, citing their duty of care to both staff and prisoners.
  • The SPS has admitted a breach of human rights law by unlawfully causing Allan's death.
  • Nine prisons are currently at "red risk status", leading to a strain on the organization and destabilizing its establishments.

Statistics:

  • 17 prison officers were involved in Allan's restraint.
  • 3 jails had piloted the non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques.
  • 100% reduction in violent incidents and floor restraints was reported at each of the pilot sites.
  • 9 prisons are currently at "red risk status".
  • 2015: The year Allan Marshall died in custody.

Sources:

  • The Scottish Prison Service annual report (exact date not provided)
  • A court report from the Court of Session in Edinburgh (exact date not provided)