Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will today order an investigation into the scandal over the death of prisoner Allan Marshall.
It is understood he has asked the Scottish Prison Service to probe whether officers involved in the restraint of Allan should face disciplinary action.
It will be Yousaf’s first public statement on his death since a sheriff said it was “entirely preventable”.
Allan, 30, died after being dragged across the floor and restrained in a corridor by staff at Edinburgh’s Saughton jail in March 2015.
In a shocking FAI ruling, Sheriff Gordon Liddle said Allan’s death from a cardiac arrest following the incident could have been avoided but for a catalogue of “missed opportunities” to save him.
Sources say Yousaf will confirm to the justice committee that he told the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to order an independent review into restraint techniques used in Scotland’s jails.
Small business owner Allan was awaiting trial over a breach of the peace outside a nightclub in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
The Scottish Prison Service is expected to look at whether officers breached a code of conduct when they restrained Allan.
It is likely they will examine the methods they used, including the use of a towel which was placed over Allan’s face, restricting hisbreathing.
Disturbing CCTV images show a team of officers surrounding Allan, with one forcefully placing his knee on the prisoner’s back.
The Sheriff said they failed to follow protocol and order medical assistance for Allan on numerous occasions, despite clear signs he was suffering irrational behaviour, indicative of a mental breakdown.
The SPS is expected to order a transcript of the FAI proceedings in which Sheriff Liddle said officers were being “consistently dishonest”.
Last night Allan’s brother Alistair, 36, said: “There has been a massive cover-up from the beginning. An SPS investigation and a review of restraint should only be the tip of the iceberg.
“It is obvious there should be disciplinary action taken against some of the officers who restrained Allan.”
Alistair said the current restraint procedures weren’t fit for purpose.
He added: “I don’t want anyone else to die like my brother did. It is disgusting.”
