A Fatal Accident Investigation into the death of a man at HMP Bowhouse in Kilmarnock has been initiated.
Brendan Reilly, 34, was discovered dead in his prison cell early on June 11, 2021.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have filed a First Notice to Begin the Court Process for a Fatal Accident Inquiry into his death. Reilly was imprisoned after stabbing a man to death just hours after being released from the Polmont Young Offenders Institute in 2005.
He has been serving a minimum 15-year term for stabbing 20-year-old David Wilson three times during a horrific incident in Port Glasgow.
The Preliminary Hearing will be held on May 15.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who supervises COPFS deaths investigations, stated: “The death of Brendan Reilly occurred while in lawful custody, hence a Fatal Accident Inquiry is required.
“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.”
The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) is to determine the cause of death, the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken and could be implemented in the future to reduce the risk of future deaths in similar situations.
Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame. This inquiry will explore the circumstances of Reilly’s death with an anticipated focus on SPS guidance in relation to morning checks and how management ensure compliance with the guidance. The inquiry is also expected to consider the issue of drugs supply within the prison and policies and procedures in place to limit same, both then and now.
