Death investigations

FAI court process begins for man who died in HMP Shotts

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a First Notice to begin the court process for a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Darrin Callander. 

Darrin Callander, 48, was found dead in his cell within HMP Shotts in the early evening of Saturday 18 September 2021.  

Mr Callander was in legal custody and in the care of the state at the time of his death.   

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is obliged to investigate such deaths, and a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.   

A Preliminary Hearing will be held on 7 January 2025 at Hamilton Sheriff Court.    

The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.   

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.          

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said:         

“The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Darrin Callander occurred while in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.         

“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.”