SHERIFFDOM OF GRAMPIAN, HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS AT PETERHEAD

Court ref: PHD-B29-25

DETERMINATION OF SHERIFF ALAN SINCLAIR

UNDER THE INQUIRIES INTO FATAL ACCIDENTS AND SUDDEN DEATHS ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT 2016

in the inquiry into the death of

ALEC JOHN COWIE

To the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service

1. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS), being a body to whom a recommendation under section 26(1)(b) was addressed, do respond as follows.

2. Recommendation 1 – That the Scottish Prison Service, as part of the review of the services suicide prevention policy (currently called “Talk To Me”) which is currently underway, give consideration to ensuring that the policy, whatever form it should take, specifies that all decisions of the Parole Board, however they have come about, result in a suicide risk assessment being undertaken;

3. Response 1 – The SPS will, as part of the review of the SPS suicide prevention policy, consider how best to include a clear interpretation that a suicide risk assessment will be undertaken in relation to an individual in custody for all decisions of the Parole Board.

The overhaul of the SPS suicide prevention strategy, currently known as “Talk to Me,” is progressing at pace. We appointed an independent reviewer to review the effectiveness of Talk to Me, and we are planning to publish their full report alongside a paper setting out the SPS approach and next steps to overhauling Talk to Me, both of which will be published by the end of the year.   

4. Recommendation 2 - That the Scottish Prison Service, as part of the review of the services suicide prevention policy (currently called “Talk To Me”) which is currently underway, give consideration to ensuring that that there are mechanisms in place to ensure the results of such assessments are properly recorded and stored.

5. Response 2 – The SPS will, as part of the review of the SPS suicide prevention policy, consider how best to ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place for the storage and recording of all suicide risk assessment outcomes.

The overhaul of the SPS suicide prevention strategy, currently known as “Talk to Me,” is progressing at pace. We appointed an independent reviewer to review the effectiveness of Talk to Me, and we are planning to publish their full report alongside a paper setting out the SPS approach and next steps to overhauling Talk to Me, both of which will be published by the end of the year.   

The recommendations and learning from this Determination will be shared across the SPS to support wider learning and compliance.