A private prison operator and a regional health authority have admitted criminal charges following the death of an inmate who contracted Covid-19 while incarcerated. According to BBC News, the case is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in the United Kingdom and follows a Crown Office investigation into approximately 6,000 pandemic-related deaths.
Calum Inglis, aged 34 from Edinburgh, was detained at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian serving a sentence for serious assault when he tested positive for coronavirus on 12 October 2021. The facility was operated by Sodexo under contract with the Scottish Prison Service and received healthcare provision from NHS Lothian. Inglis, who had asthma and was unvaccinated, was discovered dead in his cell 12 days after his positive test result.
On Friday, both Sodexo and Lothian Health Board entered guilty pleas to criminal charges alleging they failed to fulfil their obligations under health and safety legislation. The proceedings took place at Edinburgh Sheriff Court before Sheriff Julius Komorowski.
What happened in the days before Inglis's death?
According to his family's legal representatives, Inglis did not receive a visit from an NHS Lothian nurse prior to his death on 24 October. He reported experiencing breathlessness and coughing up substantial quantities of blood during his final days. The allegations indicate that during the last four days of his life, he made repeated requests for medical assistance through his cell intercom, with prison staff assuring him that someone would attend to him the following morning—promises that were never fulfilled.
A couple of days before his condition deteriorated severely, a nurse had increased the dosage of his asthma inhaler. He subsequently developed severe headaches, and several days later informed his family that his breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. Four days before his death, Inglis began coughing up blood.
His father Alan recounted a conversation with his son, stating:
Both his mum and I were saying, surely you're going to get help? He said: 'I've been pressing my buzzer, I've been crying out for help. I've been told someone will see you in the morning but no-one's coming. All I'm being offered is paracetamol. They're telling me: 'You've only got Covid'.'
Alan Inglis characterised his son's death as
100% neglectand expressed his belief that his son would still be alive had he been receiving care in the community rather than in prison.
Who was Calum Inglis?
Inglis was one of 16 individuals who died from Covid-related causes in Scotland's prisons during the pandemic. His father described him as a reserved and shy child during his primary school years, but noted that he encountered difficulties during secondary education and subsequently became involved in petty criminal activity. Following a period of relative stability in his twenties, he was sentenced to 18 months in June 2020 for serious assault and was held at the privately-operated HMP Addiewell in West Lothian.
During his incarceration, Inglis maintained regular contact with his parents through text messages and expressed remorse for disappointing them. His father stated that his son had been anticipating his release and had secured a job offer. However, 16 weeks before his scheduled release date, he tested positive for Covid-19.
Alan Inglis learned of his son's death through informal communication from individuals within the prison rather than through official notification. In March 2024, a senior Scottish Prison Service director issued a formal apology to Inglis's family.
What is the broader context of prison deaths?
This prosecution reflects ongoing concerns about safety and accountability within custodial settings. Recent cases have revealed discrepancies between official accounts and evidence of what actually occurred during deaths in custody, raising questions about transparency and investigative processes. Additionally, prison violence in England and Wales has been rising, with deadly attacks highlighting challenges in controlling brutality and maintaining safety behind bars, suggesting systemic issues extend across multiple aspects of custodial management.
What happens next?
The Crown Office instructed the private prosecution of HMP Addiewell in relation to Inglis's death during the tenure of then Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC. The admission of criminal charges by both Sodexo and Lothian Health Board represents a significant acknowledgment of responsibility, though the case will continue through the Scottish court system with potential sentencing and further proceedings to follow.
