The family of Katie Allan have today marked four years since her tragic death at Polmont Young Offender's Institute.
Katie, 21, was serving a 16-month prison sentence after being convicted at Paisley Sheriff Court in March 2018 for a drink-driving offence which injured a 15-year-old boy.
The first offender took her own life in her cell on June 4 of that year amid claims she was being bullied and humiliated.
Mum Linda, from Giffnock, paid tribute to her daughter today and vowed to never stop fighting for justice.
Posting on social media, she said: "Four years ago the police came to our home to tell us that Katie was dead. That moment was the of my trauma (years of paralysing flashbacks)
"Today I am with my husband & son on holiday, Katie is with us, as she is every day. This is recovery, thanks to the wonderful @DrRachelMAllan."
In a touching post yesterday Linda shared a photo of Katie and said she would think of her laughter.
"Katie: We remember & love you every day," she wrote.
"We will heal and fight and right the wrongs we can.
"For today and for tomorrow we will be together and think of you. We will think of you laughter. Four years without you."
The family's solicitor Aamer Anwar also paid tribute to Katie on social media.
He tweeted: "Four years ago the cries of #KatieAllan at Polmont Young Offender’s Institute went unheard, her parents @Allan67Linda & Stuart, have never given up fighting for justice for Katie & to give a voice to the voiceless incarcerated in our prisons - thinking of you today."
Katie's family have been fighting for justice since her tragic death and Solicitor General Ruth Charteris QC last year apologised for the investigation delay into Katie's death.
In September 2019 the Crown Office decided against prosecuting the Scottish Prison Service.
The decision was appealed by Katie's parents but a fatal accident inquiry cannot be held until a decision is made over prosecuting the prison service.
- In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, for free on 116 123.
- Email support can be accessed by contacting jo@samaritans.org.
- Breathing Space can be contacted on 0800 83 85 87, with support available 24 hours at weekends and between 6pm to 2am on weekdays.
An SPS spokesperson said: “We recognise the profound distress experienced by families when a loved one dies in custody.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
