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Inmate victim's death 'avoidable' Inmate victim's death 'avoidable'
(about 1 hour later)
The death of a woman murdered in her home by an inmate on a home visit could have been avoided, a sheriff has ruled following a fatal accident inquiry.The death of a woman murdered in her home by an inmate on a home visit could have been avoided, a sheriff has ruled following a fatal accident inquiry.
Sheriff Tom Millar said an assessment of the risk to the community posed by John Campbell should have been carried out prior to his leave.Sheriff Tom Millar said an assessment of the risk to the community posed by John Campbell should have been carried out prior to his leave.
Campbell, 34, from Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, stabbed 26-year-old Catherine Thomson to death in 2005.Campbell, 34, from Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, stabbed 26-year-old Catherine Thomson to death in 2005.
After being caught he was put on remand at Barlinnie and later killed himself.After being caught he was put on remand at Barlinnie and later killed himself.
In August 2002, Campbell was sentenced to eight years in prison on two charges of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.In August 2002, Campbell was sentenced to eight years in prison on two charges of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
He had attacked his former wife and her lover.He had attacked his former wife and her lover.
That offence was committed shortly after his early release on licence from a previous prison sentence. I 'm angry because I know my sister's death could've been avoided Caroline Thomson He was granted unsupervised leave from Castle Huntly open prison in August 2005.
He was granted unsupervised leave from Castle Huntly open prison in August 2005.
Drugs test
During his two days of freedom, he murdered Ms Thomson, who was his brother's girlfriend.During his two days of freedom, he murdered Ms Thomson, who was his brother's girlfriend.
Sheriff Millar said Campbell had been wrongly reduced to low supervision level.Sheriff Millar said Campbell had been wrongly reduced to low supervision level.
READ THE DETERMINATION Sheriff Millar's determination [84KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"Officers at Castle Huntly assumed a low supervision level to equate to low risk to the community and failed to carry out an assessment of risk on the granting of short leave," he said"Officers at Castle Huntly assumed a low supervision level to equate to low risk to the community and failed to carry out an assessment of risk on the granting of short leave," he said
"The system of assessment of suitability of a prisoner for short release did not operate effectively. "The system of assessment of suitability of a prisoner for short release did not operate effectively."
"It was assumed that such assessment had been carried out elsewhere."
Sheriff Millar added: "A reasonable precaution whereby the death might have been avoided would have been the carrying out of an assessment of risk to the community prior to the granting of short leave to John Campbell."Sheriff Millar added: "A reasonable precaution whereby the death might have been avoided would have been the carrying out of an assessment of risk to the community prior to the granting of short leave to John Campbell."
'Lessons learned' 'Tragic events'
Campbell failed two drug tests after being granted leave and the sheriff said a further risk assessment should have been carried out.Campbell failed two drug tests after being granted leave and the sheriff said a further risk assessment should have been carried out.
He also said it was clear to Campbell's family and others that he had taken drink and drugs during his leave. Sheriff Millar said: "Having regard to Mr Campbell's record, including the nature and timing of the offences, it was reasonably foreseeable that he would be involved in further violent offending on his release.
This, said Sheriff Millar, should have led to his "immediate recall to prison". READ THE DETERMINATION class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/15_11_07_millarthomson.pdf">Sheriff Millar's determination [84KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
He said: "Having regard to Mr Campbell's record, including the nature and timing of the offences, it was reasonably foreseeable that he would be involved in further violent offending on his release.
"The protection of the public against reasonably apprehended risk should be paramount.""The protection of the public against reasonably apprehended risk should be paramount."
Sheriff Millar said steps have since been taken to minimise risk to the community.Sheriff Millar said steps have since been taken to minimise risk to the community.
Campbell, who fell to his death at Barlinnie, was not eligible for parole until 26 November, 2006 and his earliest date of release was 25 April, 2008. Ms Thomson's sister Caroline said she was angry.
"I 'm angry because I know my sister's death could've been avoided," she said.
"I'm pleased beacuse the sheriff's findings show there are failings in the prison system."
Ms Thomson described her sister as happy go-lucky.
She added: "She's sorely missed in the family.
"We now have to somehow bring things to a close."
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "This was a tragic set of events for all those affected.A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "This was a tragic set of events for all those affected.
"The SPS are considering the determination very carefully and note the recognition of changes that have been made."The SPS are considering the determination very carefully and note the recognition of changes that have been made.
"We will ensure that any lessons that can be learned, will be learned in better assessing prisoners who access the community in preparation for release.""We will ensure that any lessons that can be learned, will be learned in better assessing prisoners who access the community in preparation for release."