PRISON bosses are to review their mental health services days before the death anniversary of a drink-drive student who took her own life behind bars.
Glasgow University student Katie Allan, 21, tragically died in June last year, after allegedly being relentlessly bullied and strip-searched while serving a 16-month sentence at YOI Polmont.
Her heartbroken mother Linda Allan, from Giffnock, revealed on Twitter today (Tues) that the Scottish Government will publish a review of services for vulnerable young people ahead of Katie's death anniversary.
Read more: Family of Katie Allan say she was failed by police, prison service and sheriff
Linda, a strategic professional adviser for the Scottish Government herself, posted: "We found out yesterday whilst on BBC Radio Scotland that the SG will publish the findings of their review of MH at HMP & YOI Polmont at ‘the end of May’...days before the first anniversary of Katie’s death."
The review follows a string of inmate deaths at the controversial Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Falkirk.
Read more: Teen, 16, among four deaths in Scottish prisons in just a few days
Geography student Katie took her own life in a prison cell for a drink-drive offence which let to a 15-year-old boy being left unconscious on Eastwoodmains Road in Giffnock, in August 2017.
While serving her sentence for the crime, she lost clumps of her hair and was said to have been 'singled-out' for strip-searches by prison officers.
Katie’s mother told how she found her daughter distraught during a visit. A prison warden promised to take action but it was the last time she saw her alive.
Aamer Anwer, rector of Glasgow University, where Katie studied, and a high-profile lawyer, said he had been contacted by prison staff who say they don’t have the resources and training to deal with people with mental health problems.
Her parents have now launched a campaign calling for changes to the way the legal system deals with vulnerable prisoners.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the review would involve a mental health expert and HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
We have contacted the Scottish Government for comment.
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