Press Release

Correctional officers rescue person in custody from suicide attempt

     Correctional officers rescued a male person in custody who attempted to commit suicide in Stanley Prison yesterday (May 11).

     At about 9.10pm, an on-duty officer noticed that the 34-year-old male person in custody drank shampoo and attempted to hang himself by using a bed sheet tied onto the window grille bars of his cell. The officer summoned reinforcement immediately. The reinforcement staff at once unlocked the cell and controlled the person in custody. He was conscious at the time. After preliminary medical examination, he was transferred to a public hospital for further treatment.

     At about 1.10am early this morning (May 12), an on-duty officer found that the person in custody had banged his head onto the wall inside the custodial ward of the public hospital. The officer immediately entered the ward to stop the person in custody and arranged for him to receive medical treatment. He was conscious at the time and sustained no external injury.

     A clinical psychologist will follow up on the case.

     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."

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of robbery.

Ends/Monday, May 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:52

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