The family of a man who died alone in his prison cell after contracting Covid-19 say they will be "forever haunted" by his death, following the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland.
Calum Inglis, 34, died on October 24, 2021, days after contracting the virus at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian. He was asthmatic and unvaccinated, and had begged staff for help at the Sodexo-run prison.
Landmark prosecution at Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Today, the private prison firm and Lothian Health Board admitted failing to ensure they had adhered to their duties under health and safety legislation when they appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The case is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland, after the Crown Office investigated around 6,000 deaths related to Covid-19.
Speaking after the conviction, a statement released on behalf of Calum's family by solicitor Aamer Anwar reads: "Five years ago, Calum's death caused unspeakable grief to his family, but they began a campaign for justice against Sodexho Ltd - a global company running the only private prison in Scotland."
Family's account of final days
The statement continues: "Calum had a right to life, but his family believe he was treated worse than an animal, left caged, terrified and alone, repeatedly pressing an intercom, screaming for help, coughing up blood he was left to die alone and without dignity over 12 days, without any support from prison officers or healthcare staff from Lothian Health Board."
During Calum's 12-day illness, he was not seen by a nurse and reported being breathless and coughing up significant amounts of blood, lawyers for his family have claimed. It is alleged that in the last four days of his life, he repeatedly requested medical attention via his cell intercom, to be promised by the prison officers that someone would see him in the morning – but nobody came.
Call for contract to be axed
The statement went on: "It has been an unbearable five years since Calum Inglis died in the custody and care of HMP Addiewell, his brutal and terrifying death has inflicted never-ending trauma that will haunt his family for ever. For Calum's family, this is only the start and they will fight for a fatal accident inquiry to hear in a public court room, from those who failed to answer Calum's cries for help."
His family have now called on the Scottish Government to axe Sodexo's contract, which will run for another seven years. The statement reads: "Calum's family believe that HMP Addiewell is not fit for purpose, and request that the Scottish Government immediately cancels Sodexho's contract which runs until 2033. The lack of compassion that greeted Calum's family following his death, is indicative of an attitude which colludes in a culture of impunity and secrecy in our prisons. The Scottish Government have a duty to ensure that all prisoners are held humanely and safely."
Last year, Scotland's top law officer instructed the private prosecution of HMP Addiewell in relation to the case. The case was heard before Sheriff Julius Komorowski. The Record has approached the Scottish Government, Sodexo and NHS Lothian for comment.
