Fatal accident inquiry to examine distribution of drugs in HMP Addiewell following death of prisoner

The distribution of non-prescribed drugs within HMP Addiewell is set to be examined following the death of a prisoner.

Paul Thomas McAdam, 36, died at the prison on June 25, 2020.

A fatal accident inquiry will be held into the death, with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) lodging a First Notice to begin court proceedings.

A preliminary hearing will take place on November 25, 2025, at Livingston Sheriff Court, with the FAI scheduled from March 2, 2026, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Mr McAdam was in legal custody and in the care of the state at the time of his death.

FAIs are inquisitorial inquiries that aim to determine the cause of death and assess whether steps could have been taken to reduce future risks, rather than assign blame.

This inquiry will investigate the prison’s welfare observations, record keeping, and information sharing between NHS staff and the Scottish Prison Service.

A central focus will be whether the systems in place were sufficient to prevent the distribution of non-prescribed drugs among prisoners.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Paul McAdam occurred whilst he was 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.”