STAFF shortages mean young prisoners at Polmont Young Offenders Institution lack enough opportunities for work, education or recreation and spend “far too long locked in their cells,” inspectors have warned.

The HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland report comes little more than a year after the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the 2018 suicides of Katie Allan and William Brown — also known as William Lindsay — at the young offenders institution.

The FAI set out 25 recommendations in a bid to “prevent other deaths in similar circumstances,” including the introduction of a 72-hour suicide prevention protocol, better record-keeping and more effective multi-agency working.

Inspectors found the protocol was now working effectively and progress had been made on the recommendations.

They warned staff shortages “limited purposeful activity” for prisoners and left some struggling to access visits and mental health services were struggling to cope with a “growing and increasingly complex prisoner population.”

Despite the best efforts of staff, these pressures continued to create risks, according to inspectors.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Sara Snell, said: “Young men in Polmont continue to spend far too long locked in their cells with too few opportunities to develop skills, build confidence and maintain positive mental health.

“Improving outcomes for these young men requires sustained, cross-agency commitment and the right resources in the right places.”

The Scottish Prison Service insisted “significant progress” had been made since the inspection.

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Each death in custody is a tragedy, and our deepest sympathies remain with the families, friends and staff affected.

“While this progress is encouraging, further work remains and I am fully committed to improving outcomes for those in our care and preventing future loss of life.”