Emotional Testimony Reveals Prison Officer's Rule-Breaking in Tragic Alopecia Case

A prison officer at Polmont Young Offenders Institution became visibly emotional while testifying at the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16.

Ms. Allan, who suffered from alopecia, was found dead in her cell in July 2018, while Brown took his own life four months later. The FAI at Falkirk Sheriff Court is examining the circumstances surrounding both tragedies.

During the inquiry, prison officer Jennifer Wilson admitted to breaking Scottish Prison Service (SPS) protocols by providing bandanas to Ms. Allan to conceal her alopecia-related baldness. Wilson defended her actions, stating it was the "right thing to do" as Ms. Allan was losing her hair rapidly, impacting her self-confidence.

The emotional testimony shed light on Ms. Allan's struggles with bullying and abuse, with reports of fellow inmates taunting her with derogatory remarks about her appearance. Glasgow University chaplain Stuart MacQuarrie, in a statement, revealed that Ms. Allan expressed fear about turning 21 in prison and disclosed ongoing bullying, making her reluctant to report the incidents.

The FAI also heard from mental health nurse Jo Brogan, who indicated that she was not aware of reports of bullying due to limited access to intelligence reports, which only SPS staff could access. Brogan described Ms. Allan as resilient and engaging but stated that antidepressants were not considered due to the relatively short duration of her sentence.

The inquiry aims to unravel the circumstances leading to the deaths of Ms. Allan and Mr. Brown, raising questions about the management of mental health issues and bullying within the prison system.