Press Release

Two persons in custody commit self-harm

     Two persons in custody hurt themselves in Tai Lam Correctional Institution and Tong Fuk Correctional Institution today (March 6).

     The first incident occurred at about 11.22am, when a 52-year-old male person in custody suddenly turned emotional during an interview by Correctional Services officers and hit his head against a wall. Officers at the scene immediately stopped him but in vain. To prevent him from further hurting himself, the officers finally subdued the person in custody with the use of OC foam spray.

     The person in custody sustained minor face injury and was subsequently arranged to attend the centre hospital for treatment. A departmental clinical psychologist will follow up on the case.

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for an offence of trafficking in dangerous drugs.

     The second incident happened at about 2.25pm at Tong Fuk Correctional Institution. Officers found injury marks on both wrists of a 47-year-old male person in custody while conducting search and suspected he had cut his wrists with a plastic spoon. The person in custody was initially treated at the centre hospital and subsequently transferred to a public hospital for further examination. A departmental clinical psychologist will follow up on the case.

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for an offence of theft.

     A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent people in its custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, the improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:03

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