A Hamilton father whose son died after suffering a a stomach ulcer while serving a prison sentence has hit out at the three-year wait for an inquiry into his death.
Grieving Christopher Glancy said it was a “joke” that his family is still waiting for answers into his son Stewart’s painful death at HMP Addiewell.
The 38-year-old dad-of-three was found dead in his cell at the West Lothian prison in June 2020. Tests concluded that he died after suffering complications from a gastric ulcer, the Sunday Mail reports.
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When he died, Stewart was just weeks away from release following a 14-month sentence for housebreaking.
Stewart’s family questioned the medical treatment he received, claiming his life could have been saved if he had been properly diagnosed. However, they have now become a victim of problems with the system of carrying out a fatal accident inquiry (FAI), which is mandatory when a prisoner dies in custody.
Christopher, from Hamilton, said: “It’s a joke. Nobody is taking responsibility. It’s as if my boy wasn’t in any pain and simply died of natural causes when it’s clear he should have been taken to hospital. This has happened to Stewart and it could happen again. We need this fatal accident inquiry to take place."
FAIs have been fraught with delays and issues for nearly a decade.
Christopher said: “I was told earlier this year that Stewart’s case is now with the procurator fiscal’s deaths unit but I’m not happy with the length of time it’s taking. You would think he would be safe in there but that’s not the case and he must have had a horrible death."
At the time, fellow prisoner James Vance said he spoke to Stewart three days before his death. He said: “You could tell he was in pain… But Stewart said the staff thought he was making it up so he could get high on medication.”
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed that no date for the mandatory FAI has been set.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon demanded quicker action. She said: “It’s important to establish the facts, including whether Mr Glancy received prompt and appropriate medical attention.
“Families shouldn’t have to wait years for the outcome of a fatal accident inquiry.”
An Addiewell spokesman said: “In advance of any future fatal accident inquiry, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”
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