Perth Prison staff could not have prevented the suicide of an “at risk” inmate, a fatal inquiry has ruled.
Steve Taylor took his own life behind bars just weeks after he was convicted of a threatening and abusive behaviour charge.
The 36-year-old was arrested on December 7 2011, after a fracas at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, when he shouted and swore at staff and pulled a needle out of his arm, causing blood to spray.
While in custody, he was assessed as being a risk to himself and had had suicidal thoughts. He was placed in an observation cell with round-the-clock CCTV coverage.
Taylor pled guilty to the offence at Dunfermline Sheriff Court the following day. Sentence was deferred until January and he was remanded in custody.
At Perth Prison, he was further assessed by a prisons officer, nurse and doctor. None believed he was a suicide risk. On the morning of December 27, Taylor was found by wardens hanging in his cell.
In his determination, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said that all evidence given during the inquest suggested that Taylor’s behaviour and demeanour “gave no cause for concern.”
He found there were no “reasonable precautions” which could have been taken by the Scottish Prison Service which would have prevented Taylor’s death.