Key Points
- A mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has been launched into the death of 69-year-old prisoner Richard Stevenson.
- Richard Stevenson passed away at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on May 16, 2023, while serving a sentence at HMP Barlinnie.
- Because the inmate was in legal custody and under the state’s care at the time of his passing, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is required by law to investigate.
- Andy Shanks, representing the COPFS as Scotland’s death investigation authority, confirmed that the Lord Advocate deemed an inquiry mandatory due to the custody circumstances.
- A preliminary hearing for the inquiry has been scheduled for November 16 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
- The formal court process has officially commenced following the lodging of the first notice under the direction of the sheriff.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) October 5, 2026 — As reported by staff journalists across regional and legal news titles including STV News and Scottish Legal News, a formal Fatal Accident Inquiry is set to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of an elderly inmate who passed away while imprisoned. Richard Stevenson, aged 69, died while receiving medical treatment at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary on May 16, 2023. At the time of his death, he was serving a custodial sentence and was formally housed within HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow. Because his death occurred while he was detained in legal custody, state regulations mandate a thorough independent examination to uncover the full sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.
Why Is a Fatal Accident Inquiry Mandatory for Deaths in Custody?
When individuals are held within penal institutions or under direct state supervision, any death triggers strict statutory protocols. As highlighted by legal affairs reporters, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) holds the exclusive responsibility in Scotland for investigating sudden, unexpected, or custody-related deaths.
Detailing the procedural mandate, Andy Shanks of the COPFS Scotland’s death investigation authority stated that
“The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Richard Stevenson occurred whilst he was in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory”.
Furthermore, Andy Shanks explained that
“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff”.
This initial legal step formally opens the judicial gateway for the inquiry process to move forward under the supervision of the Scottish courts.
What Happens During a Fatal Accident Inquiry Proceeding?
Unlike criminal trials or civil lawsuits, a Fatal Accident Inquiry operates on an inquisitorial basis rather than an adversarial one. Legal analysts covering the Scottish courts emphasize that the core objective of an FAI is strictly fact-finding rather than the apportionment of criminal blame or civil liability.
According to reports outlining the judicial scope, the core statutory purposes of the inquiry into Richard Stevenson’s death include:
- Determining the precise medical cause of death.
- Establishing the exact circumstances and timeline surrounding the final days and hours of the inmate.
- Identifying what, if any, reasonable precautions could realistically have been taken by prison authorities or medical staff.
- Recommending operational or healthcare changes that could be implemented in the future to minimise the risk of similar fatalities within the prison system.
When and Where Will the Legal Proceedings Take Place?
The formal pathway toward the full inquiry has now been set in motion following administrative filings. Court administration details confirm that a preliminary hearing has been formally scheduled to take place on November 16 at Glasgow Sheriff Court. This preliminary session will allow the sheriff, legal representatives, and interested parties to organize evidence, outline witness lists, and set timetables for the subsequent stages of the inquiry.
Background of the Development
The decision to launch a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Richard Stevenson sits within the wider framework of statutory obligations governing deaths in Scottish custodial settings. Under Scots law, whenever a person dies while detained in prison, police custody, or secure state care, accountability and transparency are prioritized through independent judicial oversight. HMP Barlinnie, one of Scotland’s largest and most scrutinized penal facilities, has historically faced intense public and political focus regarding prisoner welfare, healthcare access, and inmate safety. Mandated inquiries like the one into Richard Stevenson’s passing serve as a vital mechanism to maintain public confidence, ensure systemic failures do not go unnoticed, and compel the Scottish Prison Service and health boards to adopt life-saving recommendations.
Prediction on How This Development Can Affect the Particular Audience
For families of individuals in custody, legal advocacy groups, and prison reform campaigners, the progression of this Fatal Accident Inquiry offers a formal avenue toward transparency regarding healthcare standards inside HMP Barlinnie. For the broader public and institutional stakeholders, the findings and subsequent sheriff determinations from the Glasgow Sheriff Court proceedings may place renewed pressure on the Scottish Prison Service and NHS health providers to review clinical response times, elderly inmate care, and emergency transfer protocols from prisons to acute facilities like the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. While the inquiry does not assign blame, its recommendations frequently drive policy shifts intended to safeguard vulnerable inmates, directly impacting how medical emergencies are managed behind bars.
