Plans to introduce restraints in Scotland’s prisons described as pain free have been derailed by the overcrowding crisis which is “paralysing” the service.

The news comes after the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) admitted the death of inmate Allan Marshall, 30, in 2015 was unlawful after excessive force used by multiple officers.

Marshall, from Carluke in South Lanarkshire, was on remand at HMP Edinburgh when he was restrained face down by 17 prison officers and died four days later.

His family has now received an apology from SPS, the Crown Office and Police Scotland after the Court of Session heard that the level of force went beyond what was necessary.

SPS are currently understood to use control and restraint (C&R) techniques – involving physical holds and floor restraints – to secure

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