William Lothian, 66, died in HMP Edinburgh on 14 May 2021 after hanging himself. The FAI was a mandatory inquiry since the death of Mr Lothian occurred while he was in legal custody.

The procurator fiscal led evidence on the facts and circumstances of Mr Lothian’s death. Sheriff Roderick Flinn’s determination made several recommendations in relation to the SPS reception process.

Sheriff Flinn stated: “The reception process should be reviewed by SPS and Lothian Health Board at the earliest convenient opportunity (and if possible within the scope of the current review of prevention of suicide policy) with a view to considering whether it is feasible to establish a system for automatic referral to the prion’s Mental Health Team, based on an established set of criteria.”