Death of prisoner at HMP Edinburgh to be probed at inquiry

The first stage of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of a prisoner has been launched by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal.

Alan Cameron, 68, died after becoming ill on November 1, 2022 in HMP Edinburgh.

The inquiry is mandatory under the Inquiries Into Fatal Accidents And Sudden Deaths etc (Scotland) Act 2016.

On Friday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal said a First Notice to begin the court process had begun.

A preliminary hearing will be held on November 19 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The purpose of the inquiry includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to establish what if any reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, 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.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said:  “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Alan Cameron occurred while 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.”