We publish information regarding all deaths in our custody as part of our legal obligations under the SPS Model Publication Scheme.

Information is published in calendar years, for the past 10 years, on a quarterly basis.

2026

With each death in custody, Police Scotland are advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course.

    • David Andrew McDermott, 57, of HMP Low Moss, has died on 01 January 2026.
    • Brian John Mearns, 67, of HMP Glenochil, has died on 08 January 2026.
    • Raymond Fleming, 67, of HMP Edinburgh, has died on 21 January 2026.
    • Robert Kennedy, 44, of HMP Barlinnie, has died on 19 February 2026.
    • Daniel Kerr, 19, of HMP & YOI Polmont, has died on 8 March 2026.
    • Greg Duffy, 28, of HMP Edinburgh, has died on 13 March 2026.

    • William Kimm, 91, of HMP Low Moss, has died on 4 May 2026.
    • Hector Duncan, 58, of HMP Glenochil, has died on 7 May 2026.

Download data from previous years

You may wish to note that:

  • We report deaths in custody in this section of our website once we have received notification that the individual's next of kin has been informed.
  • The term 'Event of Undetermined Intent' used in the tables is an outcome where the exact intent of the individual concerned cannot be ascertained.
  • A Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory into the death of a person who dies in prison under the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc (Scotland) Act 2016. There is one potential exception to this and that is that the Lord Advocate may decide an inquiry is not to be held if he/she is satisfied that the circumstances of the death have been sufficiently established in criminal proceedings. The decision to hold an FAI (and the timing of a Sheriff Court being petitioned to hold an FAI) is a matter for the Lord Advocate/Procurator Fiscal.  The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service are responsible for the hosting, administration and management of Inquiry. The Scottish  Prison Service’s role in the inquiry is as a participant only, but we assist the Procurator Fiscal throughout the investigative stage.
  • Information concerning details of any FAI preliminary hearings and inquiry dates can be found on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website. Copies of FAI determinations can be found on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website.

Bereavement support

When a loved one passes away in prison it can be difficult to recover from the grief of the loss in such circumstances.

Find out what support is availible to you.

Support for Family and Friends
Chaplin with group of prisoners at Low Moss