Angela Constance

Sheriff Collins made 25 recommendations in January 2025 after finding that the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay in a young offenders’ institution were preventable and that “systemic failures” contributed to their deaths.

The new board, which will led by Justice Secretary Angela Constance and will include a “direct and ongoing link” to the pair’s families, will oversee the implementation of those recommendations.

The board will track progress, while also identifying delivery risks, and providing support to mitigate challenges to ensure reform is delivered as quickly as possible. Additionally, the board will hold justice partners to account and facilitate regular updates for stakeholders and families.

The Scottish government says the board is an interim measure until a new independent national oversight body for all deaths in custody is established over the coming year.

That new body will take on responsibility for overseeing implementation of the FAI actions, along with its other responsibilities.

Ms Constance said: “We have accepted there needs to be change and action has already started to prevent avoidable deaths in custody.

“It is vitally important that this action is being driven to delivering lasting change and to ensure full accountability every step of the way.

“That is why I will lead a ministerial board to ensure that Sheriff Collins’ FAI determination recommendations regarding the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay are being delivered at pace.

“The board will drive reform until the national oversight mechanism is established. It will provide accountability, transparency and drive systemic improvement, informed by evidence and analysis.

“Loss of liberty should not mean the loss of humanity, and every individual deprived of their liberty must be treated with dignity and respect.”