An inmate who died alone in his cell from Covid begged prison officers for help for four days.
Calum Inglis, 34, was coughing up blood after becoming seriously ill with the virus but his family claim his repeated requests for medical assistance via a cell intercom system were ignored.
He died at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian just 12 days after testing positive for Covid.
His heartbroken family, who have text messages and evidence from another prisoner revealing how Calum’s pleas went unanswered, said they’ve been left traumatised by his death, which they believe could have been prevented had he been sent to hospital.
His sister Frances Marr, 32, said: “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 will see you in the morning’ – but nobody ever came.
“He died alone, without help, without dignity.”
Mum Jen, 62, said: “They did nothing for my son and just left him.”
Dad Alan, 61, added: “It’s a horror story. You think your son is safe and he was going to get help and then nothing happens.”
The family were unable to visit Calum after Addiewell was locked down in October because dozens of prisoners and staff had tested positive for Covid but he was able to text them from the prison’s Lomond wing.
One message said: “Agony to cough, still bringing up some amount of blood.” His final text to his mum, on the day before he died, read: “Feel like I am about 90 years old, completely burning up, it’s scary.”
Calum, who was 6ft 7in and was asthmatic, was found dead in his cell at 8.24am on October 24 last year.
Frances, a nurse, said: “To me, this was clearly a preventable death.
“The people who neglected him and allowed him to die at such a young age need to be prosecuted. If I worked in a hospital and ignored someone for four days and they died, I would be in prison for failing in my duty of care.
“He was not seen by a nurse from the time he tested positive to the time he died.
“He reported being overtly breathless.
“He reported coughing up significant amounts of blood. We know that because one of the items of clothing handed back was covered in blood.
“These are both medical emergencies. If you were at home, you’d be calling 999. He was someone who should have had extra monitoring.”
Calum’s aunt Linda Simpson, 66, a retired head teacher, said: “A wide range of evidence indicated that when Calum’s health was deteriorating rapidly, his persistent calls for help were repeatedly ignored.
“Knowing that Calum suffered in the way he did and died alone will stay with us until the end of our time.
“Addiewell Prison should be shut down with immediate effect pending full investigation.
“If that doesn’t happen, another family will be sitting exactly where we are, their hearts fractured beyond repair.” His dad Alan, a former police photographer, said he is tormented by his belief that he could have done more to save his son.
He added: “The aftermath that I have, going on in my head, is why didn’t I do something about it? Why didn’t I pick up the phone and call an ambulance, the prison or the police? It is absolute torture.”
The family were contacted by a relative of an inmate who had huge concerns over Calum’s death.
The woman, whose brother was in the prison, told them: “He was on the buzzer all the time looking for medical treatment. Prison is not the best place to be unwell. With that condition, he should have been in hospital getting intensive care. Someone needs to be held accountable for the lack of action.”
Scottish Labour’s justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “Anyone coughing up blood clearly has a serious health issue and is in need of an ambulance right away.
“We need to get some detailed answers from Addiewell as soon as possible rather than the lengthy waits families currently experience.”
Scottish Tory shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay said: “It’s vital for this family to get the answers they deserve but also that the prison authorities fully understand how this happened.”
Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: “This is a tragic case and one that will be tremendously hard for Calum Inglis’s family to bear.”
The family will launch a Justice for Calum campaign next Saturday at 1pm outside the Scottish Parliament building in Holyrood, Edinburgh. They have been informed by the Crown Office that there will be a Fatal Accident Inquiry but fear it will be years before one takes place.
They have had no clear answers or apology after a meeting with HMP Addiewell director Fraser Munro.
Calum, from Edinburgh, had worked as a labourer and kitchen fitter. In 2020 he was convicted of assault and sentenced to 36 months. He was due to be released in January.
Calum was in prison three or four times in his early 20s for petty theft, non-payment of fines and assault.
His latest sentence was his first in eight years.
He planned to open a mobile takeaway having obtained a food hygiene certificate in jail.
Frances said: “Calum had a lot of good, solid plans for when he came out.
“He was a bit of a chaotic soul. He didn’t always follow the rules.”
There were 53 deaths in prison custody last year, including nine which were Covid-related. Six of those deaths – including Calum’s – were at Addiewell, with two of those deaths due to the virus.
Prisoners who die in custody are automatically the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry but figures released in January outlined the huge delays facing families, with one waiting nine years.
Addiewell boss Munro said: “We understand that this continues to be a very difficult time for Mr Inglis’s family and our thoughts and condolences remain with them.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage but I can confirm that we are continuing to work with all relevant authorities in advance of any future Fatal Accident Inquiry.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with every family tragically bereaved by a death in prison custody and we fully understand the desire for prompt answers following the death of a loved one.
“As with all deaths in custody, there will be a mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry in this case.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the sudden death of a 34-year-old man at HMP Addiewell on Sunday, October 24, 2021.
“An investigation is ongoing under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesperson said: “The investigation into the death is ongoing and the family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
The scandal of fatalities in our jails
The death of Calum Inglis is the latest in a series of fatalities in our jails that have left grieving families demanding answers.
Allan Marshall, 30, died in hospital in March 2015 after being brutally restrained by officers at Saughton prison.
The case provoked public fury after the Sunday Mail went to court to reveal shocking footage of the incident showing him being dragged naked down a corridor with a towel over his face.
At the time of his death the 30-year-old Glaswegian was on remand and due for release but died after three days in a coma at the capital’s Royal Infirmary.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry in 2018 ruled his death was “entirely preventable” and the same guards were accused of failing to tell the whole truth about what happened.
In June 2018 university student Katie Allan, from Glasgow, died at Polmont Young Offenders Institute after officers failed to act when she was vulnerable.
The 21-year-old had suffered from depression before taking her own life. Her parents have been fighting for prison reform as Katie is one of five young people to have committed suicide at Polmont in the last five years.
Jack McKenzie, William Lindsay, Robert Wagstaff and Liam Kerr also died at the Falkirk jail.
Addiewell's grim history
HMP Addiewell has been mired in controversy since it first opened its doors in 2008 at a cost of £80million.
The jail is run by private firm Sodexo Justice Services and holds 700 inmates.
Three years ago we reported how officers were struggling to control inmates at the high-security prison .
Director Ian Whitehead quit days after inmates protested at conditions which led to them being kept in their cells for up to 22 hours.
Inmates set two cells on fire and some refused to carry out duties, including serving food at meal times.
A female officer quit after failing a drugs test, followed by five trainee officers.
At the time Sodexo admitted the jail was around 47 officers short.
In January last year a HM Chief Inspector of Prisons report for Scotland raised concerns over staffing levels and the use of inexperienced staff.
