The company running a private Scottish prison and a health board have admitted criminal charges following the death of an inmate who contracted Covid-19, in what is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.
Sodexo and Lothian Health Board admitted on Friday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court that they had failed to ensure they adhered to their duties under health and safety legislation. The case follows the death of Calum Inglis, 34, from Edinburgh, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian on 24 October 2021, 12 days after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Inglis, who was asthmatic and unvaccinated, was serving an 18-month sentence for serious assault. The privately-run prison was operated by Sodexo on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service and covered by NHS Lothian.
Lawyers for Inglis's family claimed that before his death he was not seen by an NHS Lothian nurse, and reported being breathless and coughing up significant amounts of blood. It is alleged that in the last four days of his life he repeatedly requested medical attention via his cell intercom, and was told by prison officers that someone would see him in the morning, but no-one came. The family's solicitor, Aamer Anwar, previously described his death as "agonising".
Inglis's father Alan previously told BBC Scotland News that his son had said he was being offered only paracetamol and told: "You've only got Covid." Alan Inglis described his son's death as "100% neglect" and believes he could still be alive if he had been out in the community.
The Crown Office investigated about 6,000 deaths related to the pandemic. Last year, the then Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC instructed the prosecution of the private prison operator. In March 2024 a senior SPS director apologised to Inglis's family.
Inglis was one of 16 Covid-related deaths in Scotland's prisons during the pandemic. The case was heard before Sheriff Julius Komorowski.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- This is the first prosecution of its kind in the UK, setting a legal precedent for corporate and health board accountability in prison healthcare during a pandemic.
- It underscores systemic failures in the care of vulnerable prisoners, particularly those with pre-existing conditions, and raises questions about the adequacy of medical provision in private prisons.
- The outcome could influence future policy on how prisons and health boards manage medical emergencies and their legal duties toward inmates.
Background
Calum Inglis, 34, was found dead in his cell at HMP Addiewell, a privately-run prison in West Lothian operated by Sodexo. He had tested positive for Covid-19 on 12 October 2021 and died 12 days later. Inglis was asthmatic and unvaccinated. His family allege he repeatedly sought medical help in his final days but received only paracetamol. The Crown Office investigated about 6,000 pandemic-related deaths before bringing charges. A senior SPS director apologised to the family in March 2024.
Key Perspectives
Inglis family solicitor Aamer Anwar: Described his death as "agonising".
Inglis's father Alan: Described his son's death as "100% neglect" and said he believes Inglis could still be alive if he had been out in the community.
What to Watch
- The sentencing hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, which will determine penalties against Sodexo and Lothian Health Board.
- Whether the case prompts wider scrutiny of healthcare provision in private prisons across Scotland and the UK.
- Any legislative or policy changes regarding duty of care for prisoners with medical needs during public health emergencies.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe prison operator and health board admitted charges over an inmate’s Covid death.BBC News: “A company which runs a private prison and a health board has admitted criminal charges following the death of a prisoner who contracted Covid-19.”
- SupportedThe case is believed to be the UK’s first prosecution of its kind.BBC News: “The case is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in the UK”
- SupportedThe case followed Calum Inglis’s death in his cell after he contracted Covid-19.BBC News: “Calum Inglis, 34, from Edinburgh, was serving a short sentence in HMP Addiewell, West Lothian, for serious assault when he tested positive for coronovirus on 12 October 2021. Inglis, who was asthmatic and unvaccinated, was found dead in his cell 12 days later.”
- SupportedOn Friday, Sodexo and Lothian Health Board admitted criminal charges for failing to ensure they adhered to health and safety duties.BBC News: “On Friday, Sodexo and Lothian Health Board admitted criminal charges of failing to ensure they had adhered to their duties under health and safety legislation.”
- SupportedThe case was heard at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.BBC News: “The case was heard at Edinburgh Sheriff Court before Sheriff Julius Komorowski.”
- SupportedInglis was found dead on 24 October 2021, 12 days after testing positive for Covid-19.BBC News: “when he tested positive for coronovirus on 12 October 2021. Inglis, who was asthmatic and unvaccinated, was found dead in his cell 12 days later.”
- SupportedInglis was serving an 18-month sentence for serious assault.BBC News: “He served the 18-month sentence in the privately-run HMP Addiewell in West Lothian.”
- SupportedLawyers for Inglis’s family claimed he had not been seen by an NHS Lothian nurse before his death.BBC News: “Before his death on 24 October, Inglis was not seen by an NHS Lothian nurse, and reported being breathless and coughing up significant amounts of blood, lawyers for his family claimed.”
- SupportedLawyers for the family claimed Inglis reported breathlessness and coughing up significant amounts of blood.BBC News: “Before his death on 24 October, Inglis was not seen by an NHS Lothian nurse, and reported being breathless and coughing up significant amounts of blood, lawyers for his family claimed.”
- SupportedIt was alleged that Inglis repeatedly requested medical attention through his cell intercom in the last four days of his life, was told someone would see him in the morning, and no one came.BBC News: “It is alleged that in the last four days of his life, he repeatedly requested medical attention via his cell intercom, to be promised by the prison officers that someone would see him in the morning - but no-one came.”
- SupportedAamer Anwar previously described Inglis’s death as “agonising”.BBC News: “His family's solicitor Aamer Anwar previously described his death, on 24 October 2021, as "agonising".”
- SupportedAlan Inglis said his son told him, “You've only got Covid.”BBC News: “All I'm being offered is paracetamol. They're telling me: 'You've only got Covid'.”