News
2 June, 2025
Jack Mackenzie FAI
Ampersand counsel Douglas Ross KC, Isla Davie KC and Shane Dundas recently represented key parties in a significant Fatal Accident Inquiry into the tragic death of Jack McKenzie at HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Polmont. The Inquiry was heard by Sheriff Collins KC who also issued the determination in the Inquiry into the deaths of Katie Allan and William Brown in January of this year following their deaths by suicide in Polmont.
Jack McKenzie, aged 20, tragically died by suicide in his cell at Polmont in September 2021. In his determination, Sheriff Collins noted several failures, particularly around ligature anchor points within Jack’s cell. His Lordship found that a reasonable precaution, which might realistically have resulted in the death being avoided, would have been for SPS to replace or modify the toilet cubicle door within Jack’s cell so that it was not readily capable of being used as a ligature anchor point. The Inquiry also identified that the lack of audit and subsequent removal of anchor points in Jack’s cell was a defect in the system of work which contributed to his death.
Several recommendations were made in relation to the auditing and modifying of cell structures, improving suicide risk assessment protocols, particularly for prisoners who suffer from drug abuse issues, and reintroducing certain cell safety checks.
You can read the full determination by Sheriff Collins KC here.