Archibald Hunter, a prisoner at Glasgow’s HMP Barlinnie who died in hospital in June, will be the subject of a mandatory public inquiry after his death in custody. The move — announced by prosecutors this week — places official scrutiny on the circumstances of his hospital admission and the care he received while in state custody.
Hunter, described by the Crown Office as being in his late 70s, was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after his health worsened and died on 14 June 2024. Because he was in legal custody at the time, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) must open a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) to establish the facts surrounding his death.
What COPFS has said and what comes next
COPFS has lodged a First Notice to begin court proceedings and confirmed a preliminary hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 1 May 2026. The inquiry will examine how and why Hunter died, and whether reasonable steps might have been taken to reduce the risk of similar deaths in the future.
Unlike criminal trials, FAIs are inquisitorial: their purpose is to establish facts rather than to assign criminal blame. That means the inquiry will focus on medical care, custodial arrangements and any systemic issues that emerge from the evidence.
- Location: HMP Barlinnie, Glasgow
- Hospital admission: Glasgow Royal Infirmary, admitted 9 June 2024
- Date of death: 14 June 2024
- Inquiry status: First Notice lodged by COPFS; preliminary hearing 1 May 2026
Background to the case
Hunter was first imprisoned in 1968 after being convicted of the fatal assault of a 48‑year‑old woman, for which he received a life sentence and was later released in 1979. Decades later he faced further convictions: in 2018 he was sentenced to 27 months at Glasgow Sheriff Court after admitting sexual offences against two young girls that occurred over several years.
At his original trial, prosecutors said the killing had been motivated by sexual desire. Those past convictions are likely to form part of the public record considered in the FAI only where they bear on the circumstances of his death or the state’s handling of his custody and care.
Why the inquiry matters now
Deaths in state custody routinely attract public interest because they raise questions about medical response, prison healthcare standards and oversight. An FAI can highlight failures in procedure or communication and recommend changes — for prison authorities, healthcare providers and prosecutors alike.
| Key date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 June 2024 | Admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary from HMP Barlinnie |
| 14 June 2024 | Died in hospital |
| Post‑June 2024 | COPFS lodges First Notice to begin FAI process |
| 1 May 2026 | Preliminary hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court |
The FAI will consider a range of issues, including clinical records, the timing and nature of any medical interventions, and whether custody protocols for older or medically vulnerable prisoners were followed. For victims’ families, prison staff and the wider public, the inquiry offers a formal route to answers.
Observers and campaigners who monitor deaths in custody will be watching the inquiry to see whether it produces recommendations that lead to concrete changes in policy or practice. For now, the preliminary hearing will set the timetable for evidence and witnesses and begin the fact‑finding phase of the process.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
