Inmate Tragically Dies in Barlinnie Prison Cell Following Glasgow Arrest.
The tragic death of Stephen Masson, a 47-year-old inmate at Barlinnie Prison, came to light this week during a Fatal Accident Inquiry. Masson’s lifeless body was discovered in his D Hall cell by a prison officer conducting routine checks, just two days after he was placed on remand.
Masson was initially arrested in Glasgow’s city center for assaulting a police officer. While in custody, he was assessed by doctors at Govan police station, who deemed him fit for detention on November 30, 2018, despite being intoxicated at the time of his arrest. During a police vulnerability assessment, Masson initially refused to cooperate, leading to his placement in a high-risk category under constant observation. He later revealed that he had a daily prescription for 70ml of methadone.
Police made multiple attempts to obtain Masson’s methadone prescription from a pharmacy, but the inquiry highlighted that record-keeping “could have been better.” After pleading not guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court on December 4, Masson was remanded to Barlinnie Prison, where he ultimately took his own life two days later.
Sheriff Gerard Considine’s report revealed that although no reasonable precautions could have prevented Masson’s death, a flaw in the system to ensure the timely provision of prescribed medication was identified. As a result, Considine recommended that all ongoing prescriptions be registered with the NHS, regardless of the prescriber, to enable healthcare professionals to access patients’ medication details promptly.
Additionally, Considine emphasized the need for a clear and efficient system to guarantee that prisoners receive their prescription medication without delay once confirmation is obtained. This system should be in place before the end of each day and, if necessary, include follow-up procedures to ensure that prisoners are given the correct medication.
Ultimately, the inquiry into Stephen Masson’s tragic death has shed light on the importance of providing timely access to prescribed medications for prisoners and the need for improved record-keeping and communication within the system.
